US
2025 Armed Forces: US Navy

• Commemorates 250^th anniversary of founding of US Navy
• Part of set of three honoring US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps
• Each stamp features an emblem of one branch
  
  

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  Armed Forces
Value:  73¢, First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  May 16, 2025
First Day City:  Washington, DC
Quantity Issued:  18,000,000
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset, Microprint
Format:  Pane of 20
Perforations: Die Cut

Why the stamp was issued:  Stamps were issued to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the US Navy.

About the stamp design:  Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the set of stamps.  The emblem of each of the three military branches is featured against a white background.  The phrases “250 YEARS OF SERVICE” and “SINCE 1775” are on each stamp.

First Day City:  The dedication ceremony took place at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC.

About the Armed Forces set:  The USPS celebrated the 250^th anniversary of the establishment of the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps by issuing a set of three stamps, one honoring each branch. 
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress saw the need for a military force to fight for America’s independence.  The Continental Army was founded on June 14, and the Continental Navy was formed on October 13.  The Continental Marines was authorized on November 10.  Though all three forces were disbanded after the Revolutionary War, they were all reestablished when it became clear that the new country needed a standing military.

History the stamp represents: 
US Navy

Black powder smoke curled across the Atlantic as cannons roared in defiance of tyranny.  A fledgling fleet, outnumbered and outgunned, fought with fury to carve America’s place on the seas.

Established on October 13, 1775, the United States Navy began with a ragtag group of ships and patriots challenging the British Navy.  The Navy’s daring raids during the Revolution set a precedent for maritime courage.  By the War of 1812, legends like the USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides,” while naval might helped shape a growing empire.  The Navy surged to prominence in World War II, leading amphibious assaults across the Pacific and securing victory in battles like Midway and Leyte Gulf.  Its aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines now project power worldwide, safeguarding commerce, deterring conflict, and providing disaster relief.

To mark the Navy’s 250th anniversary, the USPS issued this stamp. The eagle perched on an anchor is a symbol of the Navy’s vigilance, strength, and global reach.  It’s a powerful emblem of maritime excellence, linking early sea raiders to today’s modern fleets.  This commemorative stamp honors the Navy’s unbroken tradition of defending America’s interests across every ocean, and it salutes the sailors whose courage has shaped history and secured the seas for 250 years.