# 4221 - 2008 41c Chinese Lunar New Year: Year of the Rat
Year of the Rat
City: San Francisco, CA
The 2008 Chinese New Year begins February 7 as the Year of the Rat. The Chinese New Year starts with the second new moon after winter commences. The celebration lasts for fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
First U.S. Chinese New Year Stamp
The issue of this stamp was in part inspired by repeated requests for stamps to honor additional holidays – New Year’s, Easter, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving. There had also been calls for stamps honoring the signs of the Zodiac. There had also been several groups calling for stamps to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans, while the USPS wanted to explore topics to appeal to younger Asian American collectors.
Based on the popularity of these stamps, the USPS inaugurated a new Lunar New Year series in 2008, beginning with the Year of the Rat.
Click here for lots more Chinese and Lunar New Year stamps.
Click here to learn more about the Chinese New Year including its history, traditions, and much more.
Year of the Rat
City: San Francisco, CA
The 2008 Chinese New Year begins February 7 as the Year of the Rat. The Chinese New Year starts with the second new moon after winter commences. The celebration lasts for fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
First U.S. Chinese New Year Stamp
The issue of this stamp was in part inspired by repeated requests for stamps to honor additional holidays – New Year’s, Easter, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving. There had also been calls for stamps honoring the signs of the Zodiac. There had also been several groups calling for stamps to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans, while the USPS wanted to explore topics to appeal to younger Asian American collectors.
Based on the popularity of these stamps, the USPS inaugurated a new Lunar New Year series in 2008, beginning with the Year of the Rat.
Click here for lots more Chinese and Lunar New Year stamps.
Click here to learn more about the Chinese New Year including its history, traditions, and much more.