US #3189a
1999 Earth Day Celebrated – Celebrate the Century (1970s)
• Part of the eighth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates the introduction of Earth Day
• Includes text on the back with historical details
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
F... more
US #3189a
1999 Earth Day Celebrated – Celebrate the Century (1970s)
• Part of the eighth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates the introduction of Earth Day
• Includes text on the back with historical details
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 stamp was issued: To honor the very first nationwide Earth Day in the United States.
About the stamp design: Pictures a painting by Kazuhiko Sano. Includes the following text on the back: “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.”
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.
History the stamp represents: Earth Day began as the brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was well known as a champion of environmental and conservation issues. Senator Nelson was concerned that the environment was a “non-issue” with many politicians and much of the public. He was surprised when 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970. These people, who turned out to hear politicians, philosophers, and other activists speak, created the largest street demonstrations in the United States since the ending of World War II.
This show of public opinion made a noticeable change in the US government’s lawmaking. That very year, Congress amended a tougher Clean Air Act, and passed a Clean Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and a Toxic Substances Control Act.
Leaders were concerned the movement would lose momentum, but it never did. Every April 22nd since has been celebrated as Earth Day. Nelson, now with the Wilderness Society, was the keynote speaker at the first day of issue ceremony for the 1999 “Earth Day Celebrated” postage stamp. He said, “I’m confident this stamp will plant millions of seeds for conservation.”
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