Iran Hostage Release Commemoration

This First Day Cover commemorates the release of the 52 American hostages from Iran, featuring a cachet printed in red/maroon ink with a reproduction of The Washington Post front page headline 'Iran Announces Accord on All Terms, Reports Hostages Will Be Freed Soon' dated Monday, January 19, 1981, alongside a map of the Middle East region. The cachet also includes a drawing of a liberty bell with the text 'LET FREEDOM RING' and a yellow ribbon rosette in the lower right, referencing the song 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.' The stamp is a USA 15-cent postal stationery indicium depicting a top hat with stars and stripes. The circular postmark reads 'WASHINGTON, DC / JAN 20 / 1981 / 20013' with a machine cancel slogan also reading 'LET FREEDOM RING.'

This First Day Cover commemorates the release of 52 American hostages from Iran on January 20, 1981. The cachet features a red and white design with a map of the Middle East, a headline from The Washington Post announcing the accord, a liberty bell with the phrase 'LET FREEDOM RING,' and a yellow ribbon rosette symbolizing the hostage crisis. The cover bears a 15-cent postal stationery stamp with a patriotic Uncle Sam hat design and is postmarked in Washington, D.C., with a circular machine cancellation. The text '52 AMERICANS RETURN HOME FREE!' and 'TIE A YELLOW RIBBON AROUND THE OLD OAK TREE' are prominently displayed.