What:

The U.S. Postal Service along with the Museum of the Rockies (MOR) to salute the dinosaur that dominated the tail end of the dinosaur age with new Forever stamps depicting the awe-inspiring Tyrannosaurus rex in growth stages from infancy to adulthood. The stamps will be unveiled on Smithsonian Day, which is a free admission day at the Museum of the Rockies. To obtain your free tickets go to: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/search/?q=&states=US::MT& 

Who:

The media are invited to attend. Dr. David Varricchio, Professor of Paleontology, MSU Department of Earth Sciences to emcee the event. Speakers include: Patrick Leiggi, Director of Paleontology, Exhibits, & MOR Exhibitions, Dakotas/Montana District Manager Douglas Stephens, SR., and members of the Wankel family that discovered the “Nations T. Rex” on Federal lands in Montana in 1988. Special guests include John Durnal from Senator Daines office and possible other dignitaries.

When:

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where:

Museum of the Rockies
600 W Kagy Blvd
Bozeman, MT 59717

Background:

Extinct for some 66 million years, the carnivorous Tyrannosaurus rex dominated the Cretaceous period, which was the tail end of the dinosaur age.

With powerful jaws packed in its 4-foot-long skull and banana-sized teeth serrated like steak knives, T. rex easily bit through the flesh and hefty bones of even large dinosaur prey. Its full-grown weight was six to ten tons. Its maximum length was about 40 feet.

Although the name “Tyrannosaurus rex” means “tyrant lizard king,” and “dinosaur” means “fearfully great lizard,” they were not lizards at all. Dinosaurs were from a separate reptile lineage, whose closest living relatives are birds and crocodilians.

News of the Tyrannosaurus Rex Forever stamps is being shared on social media using the hashtag #USPSTRexStamps. Followers of the Postal Service’s Facebook page can view a recording of the ceremony at facebook.com/USPS.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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