Forever stamp commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 2013, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the United States Postal Service issued the Emancipation Proclamation Forever Stamp. At 9 a.m. that day, the United States Postal Service (USPS) held a first-day issuance ceremony in the National Archives Rotunda Gallery. As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, the ceremony coincided with the federal holiday – New Year’s Day, but it still attracted much attention.

During the event, A’Lelia Bundles, president of the National Archives Foundation, served as emcee, paying tribute to enslaved ancestors and reading President Obama’s proclamation. David S. Ferriero, archivist of the United States, said the Emancipation Proclamation added a moral dimension to the Civil War. Ronald Stroman, deputy postmaster general of the United States Postal Service, presided over the unveiling ceremony, emphasizing the importance and lasting significance of the Emancipation Proclamation in changing the “trajectory of American history.” Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagan then read the original text of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Washington Jubilee Orchestra performed spirituals and gospel music. After the ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to view the original Emancipation Proclamation.

Looking back at history, on August 16, 1963, a commemorative stamp issuance ceremony was held in Chicago, Illinois to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The stamp was designed by Greg Olden, the first African-American stamp designer at the time. The program for the first day of the 2013 event was signed by designer Gail Anderson and distributed at the seats in the venue.

After the ceremony, the U. S. Postal Service set up a store in the Archives Bookstore to sell philatelic products, offering three types of postmarks: pictorial postmarks, bullseye postmarks, and regular four-bar first day postmarks. Collectors can pay to purchase electronic postmarks. On-site sales were hot, with sales reaching $6,000. Many collectors received full sheets of stamps signed and stamped by the designers, and Gail Anderson also visited the scene to purchase philatelic products and sign autographs for philatelists.

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, and the slaves were officially freed on January 1, 1863. Despite its limitations, the proclamation had a significant impact on the abolition of slavery in the United States and changed many aspects of the course of history. The Forever stamp commemorative stamp issued this time has a high collection value for philatelists, constantly reminding people of the preciousness of freedom and the importance of fighting for equality.