U.S. #2981f
Germany surrenders at Reims, May 7, 1945 – World War II
- Fifth and final souvenir sheet issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War II
- Includes 10 stamps plus a world map
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: World War II
Value: 32¢ (Denomination of each individual stamp)
First Day of Issue: September 2, 1995
First Day City: Honolulu, Hawaii
Quantity Issued (if known): 100,000,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Sheetlets of 10 (arranged in 2 strips of 5, one across the top and one across the bottom of the sheetlet, with world map in between)
Perforations: 11.1 (Eureka off-line perforator)
Tagging: Overall, large block covering stamps and part of selvage
Why the stamp was issued: This souvenir sheet was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War II. It was the last in a series of five that were issued over the course of five years.
About the stamp design: The stamp director nor the stamp artist wanted to show the enemy on the stamp or a bunch of somber men. Therefore, it was decided to really zoom in on the document and hands signing the surrender. This stamp is the only one that has the denomination and USA in white on a dark background. There are still intaglio printed elements even though the denomination isn’t.
First Day City: The stamps were dedicated in Honolulu, Hawaii. Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, the ceremony took place in view of the USS Arizona Memorial.
About the World War II Series: As the 50th anniversary of World War II was approaching, the US Postal Service wanted a series that would recognize the key events of the war and the important contributions America made to the Allied victory. Rather than issue a large number of stamps, the USPS decided to create five sheetlets, each commemorating one year of America’s involvement in the war. Each sheetlet had 10 different stamps arranged in two horizontal strips of 5. In the center was a world map with Allied and neutral nations in yellow and Axis-controlled areas in red. Notes on the map highlighted key developments that occurred that year. The stamps each featured important events that took place during the year, as well.
History the stamp represents: Hidden from harm in his bunker under Berlin, Hitler continued ordering his troops to fight, somehow believing the Third Reich could defeat its enemies. But, when Soviet forces smashed their way into Berlin on April 25th, and with US forces waiting at the Elbe River, reality overcame Hitler’s vision.
On April 30th Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun, decided to commit suicide to “escape the shame of overthrown or capitulation.” Two days later portions of the German forces began asking for a cease-fire. The little resistance left in Germany was crumbling fast.
Germany’s actual surrender came at 2:41 AM on May 7th. General Eisenhower refused to attend the signing in person. With the words, “…the German people and armed forces are, for better or worse, delivered into the victor’s hands,” German Field Mashal Alfred Gustav Jodl signed the surrender. The representatives were then ushered into Eisenhower’s office, where he confirmed that they understood the unconditional surrender. The ceremony was repeated for the Soviets the next day – history has recorded May 8th as V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day ever since.