# 3191 - 2000 33c Celebrate the Century: 1990s

US #3191
2000 Celebrate the Century (1990s)

• The tenth and final sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Includes 15 stamps picturing important events from the 1990s
• 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: May 2, 2000
First Day City: Escondido, California
Quantity Issued: 82,500,000
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 1990s that have a lasting legacy in the United States.

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

Baseball Records – The pursuit of three important and long-standing records thrilled Major League Baseball fans. Players set new marks for career strike-outs, consecutive games played, and homeruns in a single season.

Gulf War – On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. After negotiations failed, Operation Desert Storm was launched on January 17, 1991. Multi-national forces led by the US liberated Kuwait within six weeks.

Sitcom Sensation – A New York stand-up comic and his eccentric friends entertained viewers for nine seasons on “Seinfeld,” an award-winning sitcom “about nothing” that gave fans an offbeat and hilarious look at city life.

Extreme Sports – Extreme sports added an element of adventure and increased risk to the sports world. Daredevil sports such as aggressive inline skating, BMX biking, snowboarding, and street luge achieved greater popularity.

Improving Education – Across the US, improving the quality of education was a priority for educators, parents, and legislators. Key approaches included setting high standards, reducing class size, supporting teachers, and creating access to new technology.

Computer Art and Graphics – Electronic art and computer-generated animation gained popularity. Artists, graphic designers, and moviemakers used software and powerful, more affordable computers to create everything from abstract paintings to cinematic special effects.

Recovering Species – Coordinated efforts led to the recovery of some animals that once were endangered or threatened. In the 1990s, two peregrine falcon sub-species – arctic and American – were removed from the Endangered Species List.

Return to Space – In 1962, aboard the Mercury Friendship 7, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. His 1998 return to space at age 77, on the shuttle Discovery, heightened interest in the space program.

Special Olympics – In 1998, Special Olympics marked its 30th anniversary. The organization provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage.

Virtual Reality – Employing computers and interface devices such as data gloves and head-mounted displays, virtual reality created three-dimensional “virtual” worlds used in video games and in applications ranging from architecture to surgery.

“Jurassic Park” – Cloned dinosaurs terrorized visitors at an island theme park in the 1993 hit “Jurassic Park.” Noted for its stunning, lifelike creatures, the Steven Spielberg-directed film won Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing.

Blockbuster Film “Titanic” – Adding romance and elaborate special effects to the tragic story of the ill-fated luxury liner, James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic” was a colossal success at box offices worldwide and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Sport Utility Vehicles – Originally designed for off-road driving, sport utility vehicles became commonplace on city and suburban streets. Offering versatility, comfort, and a rugged image, SUVs were a popular choice for American families and commuters.

World Wide Web – The World Wide Web brought the text-based Internet to life by adding pictures, sound, and video. Millions of people accessed the Internet with user-friendly Web browsers for business, entertainment, and educational purposes.

Cellular Phones – The popularity of cellular phones skyrocketed as the phones became smaller and cheaper, sound quality improved, and service became more widely available. In 1999, more than 78 million Americans had cellular service.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Village Amphitheater of San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California.

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.