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What: |
The U.S. Postal Service continues its longstanding tradition of celebrating Kwanzaa, the annual Pan-African holiday that has united countless African American families and communities since its inception in 1966. |
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The first-day-of-issue event for the Kwanzaa stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #KwanzaaStamp. |
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Who: |
Roderick Sallay, USPS director of legislative policy and strategic development |
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When: |
Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 12:30 p.m. EDT |
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Where: |
Sen. John Heinz History Center 1212 Smallman Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
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RSVP: |
Attendees are encouraged to register at: usps.com/kwanzaastamp. |
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Background: |
Kwanzaa, observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, celebrates family, community and culture. Rooted in ancient and modern first-harvest festivals, Kwanzaa incorporates traditions from across the African continent to foster unity and pride. |
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Centered around the holiday’s seven founding principles — unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani), the holiday emphasizes the rich heritage and aspirations of the African American community. |
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It is a festive time for rejoicing in the prospect of health, prosperity and good luck in the coming year. It is also a time for contemplation and recollection of past hardships, faced by both individuals and communities, and the ways in which history can inform and affect future happiness. |
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Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original artwork by Ehua Holmes. |
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The Kwanzaa stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. This stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. |
