BTW Commemorative Stamp

Booker T. Washington, Famous Educator

Issued in 1940

April 7, 1940

The first postage stamp ever to feature an African American.

However, it is important to note that it was not because he was black or born a slave or anything to do with factors over which he had no choice.

Rather, it was because of what he did... his accomplishments... in service to others.

Booker T. is rightfully honored as a Famous American Educator, black or white... and Blacks can rightfully be proud that at last, a black American is so honored.

The lamp pictured below his image is the "Lamp of Knowledge."

He is one of only five in the Famous American Educators series.

Here are the other Famous American Educators in the Series...

The 1¢ Horace Mann, the "Father of American Public School Education"
The 2¢ Mark Hopkins, Williams College President and theologian.
The 3¢ Charles W. Eliot, MIT Professor & Harvard President
The 5¢ Frances E.Willard, founder, Women's Christian Temperance Union

Background ...

Click here to view the USPS First Day Program compiled by the American Ceremony Program Society (ACPS,).

Or here, to view all the "Famous Americans" series, presented by 1847usa.com.

(To jump to the 1956 BTW Centennial Stamp, click here