Traditional Christmas, Valley Forge 1977

In the late 1970s, the enthusiasm for the Bicentennial era was loud and clear at the presses of the US Postal Service. As I've shared before, both traditional and contemporary Christmas stamps were issued annually, with the traditional theme being overtly religious. Although these typically depict a mother and child scene from a Renaissance painting, here we have George Washington at prayer.

In December of 1977, following a few crushing defeats in the Revolutionary War, Washington and his troops began a 6 month stay in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The winter was exceptionally harsh and nearly 3,000 men perished in the frigid conditions. However Washington's dedication to his men saw them ending their stay in Valley Forge a bit tougher and more disciplined.

This stamp was the second to depict Washington during his Valley Forge encampment. The first was a souvenir sheet published a year earlier.