#5274 – Illinois Bicentennial

2018 50c Statehood Series

Value:  50¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate- Forever

Issued:  March 5, 2018

First Day City:  Springfield, IL

Type of Stamp: Commemorative

Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America

Method:  Offset 

Format:  Pane of 20

Self-Adhesive

Quantity Printed:  25,000,000 stamps

In 1955, Illinois adopted the nickname, “Land of Lincoln.”  Though he was not born there, Abraham Lincoln spent most of his life in Illinois. 

After moving to Illinois in 1830, Lincoln first held public office as postmaster of New Salem.  He went on to have a successful law career before entering politics.  He served in the Illinois Legislature and House of Representatives before he was elected president in 1860. 

While Lincoln is one of the state’s most famous sons, Illinois has many more claims to fame.  In 1885, the world’s first modern skyscraper opened in Chicago.  And a century later, the city’s Sears Tower became the world’s tallest building, a record it held for 24 years.  Many major organizations were founded in Illinois.  Montgomery Ward, the first large-scale mail-order business, was started in Chicago in 1872, while the first McDonald’s Restaurant opened in Des Plaines in 1955.  Plus America’s first Rotary Club and Boy Scout troops were created in Illinois.  The state also hosted notable world’s fairs.  In 1893, it was the site of the World’s Columbian Exposition, which saw the introduction of the Ferris Wheel, automatic dishwasher, and the zipper.  In 1933, it hosted the Century of Progress Exposition, which included the first All-Star Baseball Game. 

With so much history, perhaps another nickname for Illinois would be “Land of Firsts.”