1987 Morocco,200th Anniversary of US-Morocco Diplomatic Relations

This stamp was issued by the Kingdom of Morocco in 1987 to mark the two hundredth anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Morocco and the United States. The connection between the two nations dates back to December 20, 1777, when Morocco became the first country in the world to formally recognize American independence, extending that recognition even before the United States had secured its independence from Britain. Formal relations were sealed with the ratification of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, negotiated in Marrakesh and ratified by the U.S. Senate on July 18, 1787, a treaty that was renegotiated once in 1836 and remains in force today, making it the longest unbroken friendship treaty in American history.

The design features an intricate geometric star pattern rendered in a deep red tone against a soft blue background, drawing on traditional Moroccan decorative artwork often found in tilework and architecture throughout the kingdom. This stamp was issued jointly alongside a companion stamp released by the United States Postal Service, marking the first joint issue between the two countries and the eighteenth joint issue in American postal history overall.

The stamp designs were unveiled in March of 1987, though small changes were made to the Moroccan stamp before its final release, including a shift in background color and a revised denomination. Then President Ronald Reagan issued a statement applauding the commemoration, noting that the agreement, known as the Treaty of Marrakesh, held the distinction of being the first treaty the United States ever signed with an Arab, Muslim, or African state.