2002 is the Year of the Horse.
The horse, of course, is part of the Chinese Lunar New Year calendar and will be honored on a new U.S. 34-cent stamp celebrating the occasion.
The new stamp is the 10th in the U.S. Postal Service's award-winning lunar New Year commemorative series.
The stamp features a drawing of a horse with the wording "Happy New Year" in the upper right corner. "USA" and "34" are at the right-hand bottom corner.
The horse is the seventh of 12 animals associated with the lunar calendar. According to the ancient tradition, each animal has certain spiritual attributes. People born in the Year of the Horse are said to enjoy being in the spotlight, are hard-working, honest, independent and very sociable.
The new stamp will be released on Feb. 12, as the Year of the Horse beings.
The easiest way to get first-day official postmarks of the 2002 Lunar New Year stamp is by calling toll free (800) STAMP-24.
Special delivery
Did you know that the U.S. Post Office Department introduced express or special delivery service in 1885?
The first special delivery stamps said, "Secures Immediate Delivery At A Special Delivery Office."
The design of the 10-cent stamp showed a messenger on foot running to make a delivery.
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