This stamp was part of a pane of 50 different stamps, each depicting the flag of a U.S. state, issued to celebrate the nation's 200th anniversary. The South Carolina flag's origins date back to 1775, when Colonel William Moultrie designed a banner for his troops. The blue color was taken from their uniforms, and the crescent was an emblem worn on their caps. The palmetto tree was added in 1861, a tribute to the successful defense of a fort on Sullivan's Island against the British fleet in June 1776. The fort, constructed of palmetto logs, was able to absorb the shock of British cannonballs, leading to a decisive American victory. This event is a cornerstone of South Carolina's revolutionary heritage, and the flag serves as a lasting symbol of the state's resilience and spirit of independence.