# 3189 - 1999 33c Celebrate the Century: 1970s

US #3189
1999 Celebrate the Century (1970s)

• The eighth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Includes 15 stamps picturing important events from the 1970s
• Each stamp has text on the back detailing the event shown in the front design

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: November 18, 1999
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 90,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate important historical and cultural events from the 1970s that have a lasting legacy in the United States.

About the stamp designs: Picture artwork by Kazuhiko Sano of Mill Valley, California. The following topics were chosen for the 15 stamps on this sheet (and corresponding back markings of each):

Earth Day Celebrated – The first nationwide Earth Day was held April 22, 1970. Celebrated with marches, speeches, planting and cleanup projects, it raises awareness of environmental issues, promotes conservation efforts, and encourages respect for the Earth.

TV Series – Debuting in 1971, the innovative TV series “All in the Family” was the top-rated show five consecutive seasons. Prejudiced Archie, kindhearted Edith, and liberal Mike and Gloria lit verbal fireworks over subjects previously taboo.

“Sesame Street” – Created for public TV by Children’s Television Workshop, “Sesame Street” revolutionized children’s TV by combining entertainment and education. It helps children worldwide learn about letters, numbers, and getting along with others.

Disco Music – Powered by strong beats on records spun by disc jockeys, disco music got Americans dancing in the 1970s. Dressed up in polyester and silk, people “boogied” at nightclubs beneath colored strobe lights and mirrored balls.

Steelers Win Four Super Bowls – Winning four Super Bowls, the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated pro football in the second half of the ‘70s. Their explosive offense and defense, including the “Steel Curtain,” featured several future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

U.S. Celebrates 200th Birthday – The United States of America celebrated its 200th birthday on July 4, 1976. Crowds of people gathered to enjoy a grand procession of sailing ships in New York Harbor, a naturalization ceremony in Chicago, and fireworks from coast to coast.

Secretariat Wins Triple Crown – In 1972, two-year-old Secretariat was named Horse of the Year. In 1973, he won the coveted Triple Crown, including the only less-than-two-minute Kentucky Derby victory and a 31-length Belmont Stakes triumph.

VCRs Transform Entertainment – Videocassette recorders (VCRs) for home use took off with the introduction of Betamax and Video Home System (VHS) machines in the mid-1970s. VCR users can watch movies at home and record TV programs for later viewing.

“Pioneer 10” – Launched March 1972, “Pioneer 10” was the first spacecraft to travel to Jupiter and send back data and images. Eleven years later, it became the first man-made object to leave the solar system.

Women’s Rights Movement – The women’s rights movement mobilized to secure women’s equality, their political and economic empowerment, and respect for their human rights. The United Nations Development Fund (UNIFEM) promoted these efforts worldwide.

1970s Fashion – Freedom and experimentation guided 1970s fashion. It was a time of leisure suits, bell-bottoms and designer jeans, miniskirts and hot pants, platform shoes, and long hair. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, became popular.

“Monday Night Football” – First broadcast in September 1970, ABC’s “Monday Night Football” brings a mix of sports and show business to prime-time television. The banter among the announcers is often one of the highlights of the show.

American Smiles – During the 1970s, the yellow smiley face became an omnipresent symbol of happiness and good cheer. This perky design appealed to all ages and appeared on everything from buttons and cookie jars to neckties and sleeping bags.

Jumbo Jets – In 1970, Boeing introduced the world’s first jumbo jet. These state-of-the-art airplanes greatly increased passenger capacity and flew some 6,000 miles without refueling, allowing for more convenient international travel.

Medical Imaging – Medical imaging techniques advanced significantly with the development of ultrasound, CAT scans, and MRI technology. These noninvasive procedures improved doctors’ ability to see inside the human body.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Postage Stamp Mega-Event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

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.