Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day

A rally and free concert, produced by the Global Poverty Project and the Earth Day Network, took place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. today, to celebrate the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day by highlighting the issues of climate change and global poverty, and encouraging citizens and institutions to act now to address both challenges.

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel Spoke at the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day.

The event features high profile speakers such as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon with music performing by My Morning Jacket, Mary J. Blige, Usher and No Doubt, attracting an estimate of more than 200,000 people to attend.

No Doubt Performing. #GlobalCitizen2015EarthDay

Outgoing postcard US-3263840 to Germany shows an evening view of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol Building. The event stage was between the Ellipse and the Washington Monument, just south of Constitution Avenue, which would be located on the left side of the card behind the Lincoln Memorial. #GlobalCitizen2015EarthDay

Cherry Blossoms About to Reach Peak Bloom in D.C.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the gift of 3020 cherry trees from Tokyo, Japan to the city of Washington D.C.  First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park on March 27, 1912. This weekend, the cherry blossoms are projected to hit peak bloom while the Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the 55th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival will attract a large crowd.

Earlier today, USPS and Japan Post jointly issued the Gifts of Friendship Forever stamps on April 10, 2015, featuring cherry blossom trees and flowering dogwood trees, celebrating the enduring bond between U.S. and Japan on the centennial of the thank-you gift of flowering dogwood trees from the United States to Japan in 1915.

Outgoing postcard US-3263842 to Japan shows the Washington Monument with cherry blossoms in the foreground. It has one of the Gifts of Friendship stamps in the front featuring the Lincoln Memorial with vibrant cherry trees.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Postcard US-2643460 from Washington D.C. area shows the famed cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument in the background. The 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 13, commemorating the 102nd anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees from Japan.

The peak bloom period only lasts for a few days; and the precise time period varies each year depending on weather conditions.  The average peak bloom date from 1992 to 2013 for those cherry trees is March 31. However,  the colder-than-usual winter is causing a late peak for cherry blossoms this year. The National Park Service forecast put the peak bloom period for the cherry blossoms this year as from April 8 to April 12.  An alternative forecast by Washington Post‘s Capital Weather Gang predicted a peak bloom period between April 11 and April 15, centered on April 13. Meanwhile, you can watch the live cherry blossom cam on Earthcam.

Se-tenant Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever Stamps issued by USPS on March 24, 2012

Washington’s Birthday

Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday, originally established by an Act of Congress in 1879 and celebrated on the third Monday of February, in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The holiday is widely known as "Presidents Day" often to celebrate other, if not all, presidents. In 2014, the holiday falls to February 17 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Washington's actual birthday is February 22.

I present this maxi card showing the Washington Monument, an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to mark this occasion. The Monument was built to commemorate George Washington. On August 28, 1963, a massive crowd marched by the Monument en-route to the Lincoln Memorial for the "March on Washington" rally.

Our Lives Begin to End the Day We Become Silent about Things that Matter

As we honor the 85th Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on January 15, 1929, he is remembered as the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement that challenged racial discrimination in federal and state laws. What he once said "Our Lives Begin to End the Day We Become Silent about Things that Matter" still rings true today.

The postcard shows the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument in Washington D.C. with a 2013 USPS March on Washington 50th Anniversary forever stamp. The first-day-of-issue cancellation was requested on October 23, 2013 and received on December 7, 2013.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an American federal holiday that celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., is observed on the third Monday of January each year. For 2014, it will be on January 20. It is not trivia to note that some states had resisted observing the holiday, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It had not officially observed in all 50 states until 2000.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In this Veterans Day 2013, we feature postcard US-2475557 to Portugal that shows the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall with reflection of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors U.S. service members who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam and the South East Asia, and service members missing in action during the War.

In Las Vegas, there will be the 2013 Veterans Day Parade in downtown at 10 a.m on Monday, November 11, 2013. The parade is said to be the largest Veterans Day parade west of the Mississippi River, featuring active duty and reserve service members, veterans groups and local organizations.