Booker T. Washington was the first African American honored on a United States postage stamp. The 10-cent stamp was issued on April 7, 1940, in the Famous Americans series.
The 1940 Booker T. Washington stamp
The issue commemorated Washington as an educator and national historical figure. USPS historical records list it as the first U.S. postage stamp to honor an African American.
Why Harriet Tubman is also called a first
Harriet Tubman appeared on the first stamp in the USPS Black Heritage series in 1978 and was the first African American woman honored on a U.S. postage stamp. Those are different milestones from Washington’s 1940 first.
Keep the milestones separate
- First African American honored on a U.S. stamp: Booker T. Washington, 1940.
- First Black Heritage series honoree: Harriet Tubman, 1978.
- First African American woman honored: Harriet Tubman, 1978.
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Sources and verification
Checked September 4, 2026. Postal prices and availability can change.