# 3187 - 1999 33c Celebrate the Century: 1950s

US #3187
1999 Celebrate the Century (1950s)

• The sixth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Includes 15 stamps picturing important events from the 1940s
• Each stamp has text on the back detailing the event shown in the front design

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: May 26, 1999
First Day City: Springfield, Massachusetts
Quantity Issued: 188,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate important historical and cultural events from the 1950s that have a lasting legacy in the United States.

About the stamp designs: Picture artwork by Dean Ellis of Amagansett, New York. The following topics were chosen for the 15 stamps on this sheet (and corresponding back markings of each):

Polio Vaccine Developed – Polio epidemics peaked in the ‘50s, with almost 58,000 new cases in 1952 alone. A vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, and federally approved in April 1955, helped control the spread of the disease when it was administered nationwide.

Teen Fashions – Teenagers defined their own ‘50s fashion look. Girls chose skirts and sweaters, bobby socks and saddle shoes, or, for leisure, blue jeans. Boys liked white T-shirts, V-necked sweaters, jeans, and loafers, white bucks, or black boots.

The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” – The 1951 National League pennant race was decided in a best-of-three-games playoff. The New York Giants beat the Brooklyn Dodgers when, in the ninth inning of the third game, Bobby Thomson hit a three-run homer.

US Launches Satellites – The first successful US Earth satellite, Explorer 1, was launched January 31, 1958. The second, Vanguard 1, was launched March 17, 1958. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was formally established October 1, 1958.

Korean War – The Korean War (1950-1953), the first major United Nations military action, claimed the lives of more than 50,000 Americans. US and other UN forces fought to oppose the invasion of South Korea by Communist troops.

Desegregating Public Schools – With Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954), the US Supreme Court declared racial separation in public education unconstitutional. The ruling initated the beginning of mandatory integration of public schools.

Tail Fins and Chrome – Cars of the ‘50s were large and ornate. Automakers attracted buyers with annual styling changes. Tail fins, dazzling grilles, chrome trim, and hardtop convertibles were popular, as were big V-8 engines and three-toned paint jobs.

Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” – “The Cat in the Hat” (1957) was written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). This masterpiece uses repeated syllables, rhythmic verse, and fanciful drawings to teach children to read and to use their imaginations.

Drive-in Movies – With postwar prosperity, the blossoming of suburbia, and the national love for cars and movies, drive-in theaters were natural attractions for new American families. Teenage couples found privacy, and sometimes watched the movie.

World Series Rivals – Between 1949 and 1956, the New York Yankees and their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers, met five times in the World Series: 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. The Dodgers won once, in 1955.

Rocky Marciano, Undefeated – Boxer Rocky Marciano, the “Brockton Blockbuster,” held he world heavyweight title from September 1952 to April 1956, defending his crown six times. He is the only professional heavyweight boxing champion to retire undefeated.

“I Love Lucy” – “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957) was one of the most popular shows in TV history. Lucille Ball starred as a zany housewife trying to break into show business. Her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, co-starred as her bandleader husband.

Rock ‘n’ Roll – With roots in rhythm and blues, country and western, and gospel, rock ‘n’ roll crossed racial lines. Some adults found the rhythms rebellious and threatening, but the lyrics and loud music appealed directly to teenagers.

Stock Car Racing – Stock cars, modified versions of ordinary passenger cars, attracted drivers and fans alike. The 1950s witnessed a boom in stock car racing, and the first Daytona 500 was held in 1959.

Movies Go 3-D – Responding to the growing popularity of TV, film studios began producing 3-D movies. Wearing glasses with gray Polaroid lenses, viewers were startled by images that leapt off the screen.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held a the Civic Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, the hometown of Dr. Seuss.

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.