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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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The U.S. Postal Service has launched an ambitious slate of commemorative stamps to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, using everyday postage to tell a sweeping story about the nation's founding, its ideals and the people who shaped its history.
USPS officials say the stamps—which spotlight national symbols, including the Declaration of Independence, and key individuals from the American Revolution—are intended for not only collectors but also the broader public, placing history, symbolism and civic memory into circulation during a milestone year for the country.
"It's no exaggeration to say this is one of the most ambitious stamp projects we've ever attempted," Nicholas Sucich, USPS's director of digital communications, said of the Figures of the American Revolution collection.
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He added: "The team behind these stamps spent years working with historians and subject matter experts to ensure each figure's story and portrait was accurate and grounded in scholarship. It was a monumental achievement."
American Icons
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At the center of the rollout is the American Icons collection, which the agency unveiled on June 9 in New York.
Curated by fashion designer Ralph Lauren—marking the first time USPS has invited a single individual to oversee an entire stamp program—the pane features 13 Forever stamps.
The designs draw on Lauren's archive and inspirations, with the stamp images representing core national ideals such as freedom, independence, equality, opportunity and the pursuit of happiness.
The set includes 12 familiar symbols of American life, including the U.S. flag, a hamburger, a pickup truck, a lighthouse and wild horses. One stamp features a Diné (Navajo) blanket, while another showcases Jackie Robinson's baseball glove.
The 13th central stamp features a knitted flag design marked "1776–2026," highlighting the milestone anniversary.
Elvin Mercado, USPS's chief retail and delivery officer, said in a news release: "This collection captures the enduring values and visual touchstones that define the American experience. We take immense pride in bringing these meaningful symbols of our shared heritage to the public."
These stamps have been issued as Forever stamps, meaning they are expected to remain valid for first-class postage regardless of any future price changes.
New Declaration of Independence Stamp
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USPS is also marking the country's semiquincentennial with a dedicated Forever stamp for one of the nation's founding documents.
Issued in panes of 20, the stamp depicts each numeral in "1776" in the shape of a feather quill pen, a reference to the act of drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence. Typographer Juan Carlos Pagan created the design under the art direction of longtime USPS designer Greg Breeding.
USPS says the stamp is intended to highlight the document's core principle: that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed, a concept that has shaped U.S. democracy for two and a half centuries.
A first‑day‑of‑issue ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 4 and will be open to the public as part of Philadelphia's broader Independence Day celebrations.
Honoring the People Behind the Revolution
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Another major part of the agency's America 250 commemoration is the Figures of the American Revolution stamp pane. The set features 25 individual portraits of people whose actions helped shape the Revolutionary War and establish U.S. independence.
The collection highlights the diversity of those involved in the independence movement—showcasing activists, lawmakers, soldiers, future presidents, Native American leaders and free and enslaved individuals.
The stamps are arranged in a five-by-five grid, each labeled with the subject's name and a brief description. Art director Ethel Kessler oversaw the project, which 12 artists brought to life using a range of styles and techniques—including "oil paintings, watercolors, chalk, acrylic, graphite, tempura, digital," Sucich said.
He added that the agency hoped Americans would not only purchase the stamps but also be "moved to learn more about these early patriots and the governing principles they established that still guide us today."
How To Buy the America 250 Stamps
Across all releases, USPS says customers can purchase stamps in multiple ways:
- Online through the Postal Store
- By phone
- By mail via USA Philatelic
- In person at post offices nationwide
- Through the USPS collection on Amazon
These collections are typically sold in panes (13, 20 or 25, depending on the issue). Each Forever stamp is priced at 78 cents, the current First-Class Mail rate, and would be valid to cover the postage of 1-ounce letters even if a proposed four-cent rate increase goes into effect next month.
The three USPS stamp collections are part of a broader rollout throughout 2026, with additional stamps highlighting quintessential American symbols—such as the bald eagle—released earlier in the year.
Other 250th Anniversary Commemorative Initiatives
The USPS has also launched a number of other initiatives to mark the country's 250th anniversary:
Visit historic Post Offices
A number of Post Offices across the U.S. that were in operation in 1776 will put on a variety of activities, including community art exhibits, stamp dedications, and other special events.
Shop anniversary merchandise
Consumers can browse a variety of 250th anniversary-themed products available online through The Postal Store and at participating Post Offices across the country.
Consumers can also buy a collector's envelope featuring anniversary artwork, a stamp, and a commemorative cancellation at participating Post Offices or online. Other collectible items include oversized postcards, commemorative portfolios, and specialty booklet sets.
National postmark
Mail processed between July and August will feature a special cancellation marking the nation's 250th anniversary.
Commemorative shipping supplies
Themed Priority Mail enveloped and boxes will be available at Post Offices beginning in early July.
Patriotic collection boxes
Americans will be able to visit one of 30 specially decorated blue collection boxes in 24 cities connected to key moments in the country's founding.
Update 6/12/26 5.20 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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