Achievements in Space 21.5.1981

FIFA World Cup Soccer 1994 in the USA 26.5.1994

For one action-packed month millions of viewers around the globe tuned in to the world’s most popular sporting event as twenty-four teams vied for the championship. Sponsored by the Federation Internationale de Football Association(FIFA), the World Cup is soccer’s most famous and spectacular international competition.

Proposed by Frenchman Jules Rimet, the first World Cup was held in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930. Since then the competition has been held every four years, except during World War II. Qualifying rounds held two years prior to the event determine which twenty-two teams will join the host nation and the defending champion. Unlike Olympic soccer however, World Cup teams are not limited to amateur players.

For the first time in the World Cup’s 64-year history, the event was held in the United States in 1994 and to honour the occasion the Postal Service issued three commemorative stamps, namely 29¢, 40¢, and 50¢. Various denominations made mailing letters home easier for the international athletes, coaches, and officials. A souvenir sheet was also issued. Although the 1983 airmail stamp issued for the ’84 Olympics featured a soccer player, this was the first time stamps had been issued to specifically honour the sport of soccer.  

Thank you Merja.

1990s – Celebrate the Century

In the final decade of the last millennium, Cold War ends and the economy blooms. This is what this Minisheet says. It goes on to say that, the Soviet Union collapsed effectively ending the Cold War. Troops were deployed by the United States in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and in the Balkans in 1992 – often called the Year of the Woman – a record number of women were elected to political office.
American astronauts joined Russian cosmonauts on the Mir space station, and Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor sent back extraordinary images of the red planet. A grouping of planets resembling our Solar System was found by astronomers. The World Wide Web and e-mail revolutionised communications. Millions of Americans bought cellular phones as service expanded. In Washington, D.C the Holocaust Museum drew huge crowds, while in Los Angeles, the Getty Centre’s architecture got rave reviews. Movie goers flocked to see Titanic and Jurasic Park. Extreme sports, such as snowboarding and BMX biking, attracted young people, and the U.S. women’s softball, soccer and basketball teams proved themselves best in the world. New words, e-commerce, Web site, Y2K and many more came into the English lexicon. The back ground photo was designed as the US economy prospered as the stock market reached all-time highs. Americans ended the decade with one of the strongest economies in the world.
My friend Hemant gave me this superb minisheet. The stamps on this sheet portray most of the facts given above and more including ‘Seinfeld’ one of my favourite comedy serials on TV. I would like to emphasise also, that the details mentioned above of the last decade are views of USPS, who issued this sheet in 2000.

Year of the Dog 5.2.1994

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Whilst talking of the Year of the Rabbit this year, it is worthwile looking at FDC issued by the USA commemorating the Year of the Dog in 1994. Legend has it that, when the great Buddha found enlightenment under the old ‘Bodhi Tree’, he invited all the animals to his kingdom to celebrate. Only 12 animals arrived, and Buddha promptly rewarded them by naming each New Year in honour of them. The order in which the animal arrived at Buddha’s side is significant, for he gave each a special characteristic. The Dog was the eleventh animal to reach Buddha and he was given the motto ‘I am loyal’ and stands for loyalty and justice. People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other peoples confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth; yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. The next Year of the Dog is in 2018. The USA celebrated the Year of the Dog in 1994, by issuing the displayed stamp and the Cover.

USA - Adopting a Child 10.5.2000

Giving a child with no hope a New and Glorious World of Hope is something really charitable.

Space Exploration 1.10.1991

October 4th to the 10th, every year 55 Nations celebrate the World Space Week. The UN had started this in 1999. In my own small way I decided to remember the day by this very topical and timely display of this First Day Cover from the USA.

On October 1st, 1991 the U.S. Postal Service issued a booklet of 10 different setenent space stamps, (two horizontal strips of five stamps joined together vertically and horizontally). Each stamp had a face value of 29 cents. The stamps were issued for National Stamp Collecting Month and commemorated the successful exploration of the 8 of the 9 planets (since then of course, Pluto was demoted from that exalted status) in our Solar System, plus the Earth's satellite. The Moon, by U.S. spacecrafts and are identified as follows: -

• #2568: Planet Mercury/Mariner 10 Spacecraft.
• #2569: Planet Venus/Mariner 2 Spacecraft.
• #2570: Planet Earth/Landsat Spacecraft.
• #2571: Planet Earth's Moon/Lunar Orbiter Spacecraft.
• #2572: Planet Mars/Viking Orbiter Spacecraft.
• #2573: Planet Jupiter/Pioneer 11 Spacecraft.
• #2574: Planet Saturn/Voyager 2 Spacecraft.
• #2575: Planet Uranus/Voyager 2 Spacecraft.
• #2576: Planet Neptune/Voyager 2 Spacecraft.
• #2577: Planet Pluto... not yet explored! It is a bit too far anyway.

The October 1, 1991 first day of issue cancellation on these covers is a pictorial hand cancellation, that shows the planet Saturn with its rings and other stars in the background with 3 lines of text:"First Day of Issue, October 1, 1991, Pasadena CA 91109". Another postmark called a "bulls eye cancel" may appear in addition on some covers like this one which is displayed, which consists of a small circle postmark with the name of Pasadena CA at the inner top of the circle and the date of Oct. 1, 1991 appearing in the center of the circle, This is also a "first day of issue cancellation" and is called a "bulls eye" cancellation because there are no killer bars. (It is often used where there is not sufficient space to apply the larger first day of issue postmark). Pasadena California is the location of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is the control center for the spacecraft listed above. The words postmark and cancellation are being deliberately used. However, as far as I am concerned, they really mean the same thing. I am sure Hemant who sent me this lovely card would agree.

Tropical Birds 25.7.1998

The details about the birds are on the cards itself. This pretty set of Maximum Cards was given to me by Hemant.

Tropical Birds 29.7.1998

USA – Exploration of Mars 10.12.1997

Today is the American Independence Day. And on this day 13 years ago it all happened on the Red Planet. Mars Pathfinder, which brought spectacular images of the "Red Planet" to Earth, conducted its next mission on the surface of a U.S. postage stamp. The U.S. Postal Service issued a $3 Priority Mail stamp commemorating the historic Mars Pathfinder mission. The stamp was officially dedicated in a ceremony at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. on December 10, 1997. "As one of the most significant achievements in the history of America’s space program, it is fitting that the Pathfinder Mission be honoured on a U.S. postage stamp," said Postmaster General Marvin Runyon. "When this stamp lands in stamp collections or on Priority Mail pieces nationwide, it will be a reminder of the unmatched ingenuity that leads the world in space exploration." This stamp is believed to be the largest stamp ever issued by the United States of America.

Based on the first image received from the Mars Pathfinder after its landing on the Martian surface July 4, 1997, the stamp features the Sojourner rover resting on the Pathfinder with a panoramic view of the Ares Vallis region of Mars in the background. Informational text about the Pathfinder mission is printed on the reverse of the stamp sheet. Fifteen million stamps have been printed. "That first historic image of Pathfinder and the rover sitting safely on Mars ignited worldwide interest in our efforts to explore Mars," said JPL Director Dr. Edward C. Stone. "It is an honour for this mission to be recognized by issuance of this special U.S. postage stamp." The Mars Pathfinder stamp is the third U.S. stamp subject to incorporate hidden images to prevent counterfeiting, while adding an interesting design element. The hidden text -- Mars Pathfinder, July 4, 1997 and the letters USPS --is not visible to the naked eye but can be viewed by using a decoder lens, which is available through the Postal Service's Philatelic Fulfillment Centre in Kansas City, MO. Since its Independence Day landing, Pathfinder has returned more than 2.6 billion bits of information, including more than 16,500 images, as well as chemical analyses of rocks and extensive data on winds and other weather factors. After operating on the surface of Mars three times longer than expected, the mission began winding down as daily communications with the lander and rover were officially halted.

Thank you Hemant for this beauty of a miniature sheet.

Cartoon Characters

We have loved them since we were children. And yes Hemant, we love them even now. So, here they are, Daffy Duck, Porky the Pig, and how can I forget The Road Runner having the better of Wile E. Coyote. Wonderful Maxi cards from the USA.

Games of the XXVI Centennial Olympiad

Some Olympic games collectors would remember that the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games Movement was celebrated by holding the 26^th Olympiad at Atlanta in the United States. They would also remember that these Games concluded in the month of August of 1996, that is 13 years ago. A few details for the statisticians amongst us are:

Host city Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Motto The Celebration of the Century

Nations participating 197; Athletes participating 10,320
(6,797 men, 3,523 women) Events 271 in 26 sports

Opening ceremony July 19 Closing ceremony August 4

Officially Opened by President Bill Clinton

Athlete's Oath Teresa Edwards

Judge's Oath Hobie Billingsley

Olympic Torch Muhammad Ali

Stadium Centennial Olympic Stadium

The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Incidents

The Atlanta Olympics were marred by the Centennial Olympic Park bombing on July 27. This bombing killed spectator Alice Hawthorne and wounded 111 others, and caused the death of Melih Uzunyol by heart attack. Eric Robert Rudolph was charged with and confessed to this bombing and several others. He is now in a US Federal prison.

At the closing ceremony, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said in his closing speech, "Well done, Atlanta" and called the Games "most exceptional". This broke precedent for Samaranch, who had traditionally labelled each Games "the best Olympics ever" at each closing ceremony, a practice he resumed at the subsequent Games in Sydney in 2000.

^{Stamps Issued}

^{The first frame shows a sheet of stamps showing the many categories of events at the Games. These were issued se-tennant.}

^{The second frame is particularly interesting as it shows the description of the event portrayed on the stamp on its reverse. This practice is very rarely seen.}
(click to enlarge)