# 3182l - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1900s: W.E.B. DuBois

US #3182l
1998 W.E.B. DuBois – Celebrate the Century (1900s)

• Part of the first sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors W.E.B. DuBois
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 32¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: February 3, 1998
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 188,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.6
Tagging: Block Tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate W.E.B. DuBois and his many accomplishments that left a lasting impact on US history and culture.

About the stamp design: Pictures gouache and colored pencil illustration of W.E.B. DuBois by artist Richard Waldrep. Includes the following text on the back “An educator and author, W.E.B. DuBois promoted the cause for equality for all Americans. He helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Washington, DC, with legendary radio and television host Larry King as master of ceremonies.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: William Edward Burghardt DuBois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 1868. He was educated at Fisk University, Harvard University, and the University of Berlin. In 1895, he became the first Black to receive a doctor of philosophy degree from Harvard. W.E.B. DuBois went on to teach at Atlanta University.

DuBois was a historian, a sociologist, an editor, and a writer. In addition to writing numerous speeches and articles, he edited four magazines and published nineteen books. One of his best-known books, The Souls of Black Folk was a collection of essays published in 1903.

W.E.B. DuBois is probably most famous for his role as a leader of the American civil rights movement during the first half of the 20th century. In his efforts to fight racial discrimination, he founded the Niagara Movement in 1905. This led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. DuBois edited their monthly magazine, The Crisis, and was actively involved with the organization until 1934.

DuBois worked to fight prejudice while promoting black culture. Although he had many controversial beliefs and affiliations, he made important contributions to the improvement of civil rights in the United States.