For the upcoming 2009 holiday season the US Postal Service has issued a new Kwanzaa Stamp. This is the 3rd design for a Kwanzaa stamp since the first was issued in 1997.

You can find the 2009 Kwanzaa stamp at your local Post Office or order directly from the USPS website.

More Kwanzaa stamp information…

The White House Released a Statement from President Obama on the Occasion of Juneteenth

Statement from President Obama on the Occasion of Juneteenth

On this day in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, those who found themselves still enslaved in Galveston, Texas had their hopes realized and their prayers answered. Contrary to what others had told them, the rumors they had heard were indeed true. The Civil War had ended, and they were now free.

Read the President’s complete Juneteenth statement – Juneteenth 2009

The 7th Day of Kwanzaa
The 7th, and last day, of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the seventh day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red candle, the next green, the final red and then the final green candle. This represents the 7th principle of Kwanzaa – Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

The 6th Day of Kwanzaa
The 6th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the sixth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa – Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity.

The sixth day, which occurs on New Years Eve, is a special day. This is the day of the Kwanzaa Karamu or Kwanzaa Feast. In the spirit of celebration many families invite their friends and family to join in the festivities.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

The 5th Day of Kwanzaa
The 5th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the fifth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red and then the next green candle. This represents the 5th principle of Kwanzaa – Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

The 4th Day of Kwanzaa
The 4th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green. And then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa – Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

The 3rd Day of Kwanzaa
The 3rd day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the third day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green candle. This represents the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa – Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri! Happy Kwanzaa!

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join our Kwanzaa celebrations. This week-long festival honoring African American culture and history begins on December 26th and continues through New Year’s Day.

Come learn the story of Kwanzaa, a relatively new holiday that started in the 1960s and today is celebrated by 18 million Americans. Read about the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa and learn how these principles are evoked in African American homes during the week of Kwanzaa. Discover the meaning of the Kinara, a seven-branched candelabra lit throughout the week of Kwanzaa.

Do you know which Swahili expression the name Kwanzaa comes from? Learn the answer to this and many other Kwanzaa tidbits at our article entitled Did You Know? The Kwanzaa Edition.

Finally, be sure to check out our extensive collection of Kwanzaa crafts, recipes and other holiday goodies. We also hope you will send a free Kwanzaa e-card to friends and family.

We look forward to sharing our feast of Kwanzaa festivities with you over at Holidays on the Net.

Happy Kwanzaa from our family to yours!

The 2nd Day of Kwanzaa
The 2nd day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the second day the black candle is again lit, as well as the farthest red candle on the left. This represents the 2nd principle of Kwanzaa – Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Kwanzaa
Today marks the start of the seven-day Kwanzaa festival, a holiday observed by many African-American families in recognition of their African heritage. Kwanzaa, which means first fruit in Swahili, begins with a special harvest feast, known as karamu, held on the first day.

Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

On the first day of Kwanzaa the center black candle is lit, representing the first principle of Kwanzaa – Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity.

For more info please visit our celebration: Kwanzaa on the Net