The Postal Service kicked off the Lunar New Year by dedicating the Year of the Dog stamp Jan. 11 in Honolulu.
The stamp is the 11th of 12 entries in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Dog begins Feb. 16 and ends Feb. 4, 2019.
“Today’s event is important, not only because it’s our first stamp dedication of the new calendar year, but also because it gives the Postal Service a chance to reinforce our commitment to celebrate America’s great diversity through our stamps,” said Pacific Area’s acting vice president, Larry Munoz Jr., who led the ceremony.
“As you use these beautiful stamps to mail your letters and packages, it is our wish that the Year of the Dog brings each of you good health, great joy and much prosperity.”
The Lunar New Year, the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities, is observed primarily by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan and Mongolian heritage.
The event is often celebrated with parades featuring enormous and vibrantly painted papier-mâché dragons, parties featuring foods for good luck, and other activities.
The Year of the Dog stamps are available in souvenir sheets of 12 at Post Offices and usps.com. The Jan. 11 news release has more information.
