HONORING DIVERSITY: A SELECTION OF COMMEMORATIVE U.S. POSTAGE STAMPS Prepared by: THE ORDER SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA 219 E STREET, NE WASHINGTON, DC 20002 TEL: 202/547-2900 FAX: 202/547-1492 E-MAIL:
[email protected] WEB: WWW.OSIA.ORG Summer 2003 HONORING DIVERSITY: A SELECTION OF COMMEMORATIVE U.S. POSTAGE STAMPS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report compares the number of commemorative stamps and post cards issued by the U.S. Postal Service to honor individuals of Italian, African, Hispanic and Jewish descent. It reveals that since 1869, the U.S. Postal Service has honored 15 people of Italian heritage with postage stamps compared to 150 African Americans, 36 Jewish Americans and 14 Hispanic Americans. The Italian Americans with commemorative stamps are: mayor Fiorello La Guardia, football coach Vince Lombardi (2 stamps and an envelope), Bank of America founder Amadeo Giannini, soprano Rosa Ponselle, boxer Rocky Marciano, comedian Lou Costello and the 18th century patriot Francesco Vigo, believed to be the first Italian to acquire American citizenship (1747-1836). Also honored are Italian citizens whose careers flourished in the United States: Arturo Toscanini, Enrico Caruso, Rudolph Valentino, Enrico Fermi and Filippo Mazzei, who was an 18th century physician and friend of Jefferson. The report also compares the number of commemorative stamps and post cards issued by the U.S. Postal Service that recognize Italian, African, Hispanic and Jewish history and culture. As of the spring 2003, 64 stamps and postcards feature Hispanic history; 56 stamps feature Italian art; 47 stamps honor Columbus; 13 stamps and post cards have African American themes and 6 stamps and post cards commemorate Jewish American history and culture.