What:

The U.S. Postal Service marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of 102 English passengers in 1620 on the Mayflower off the coast of Plymouth, MA, with the dedication of the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor Forever stamp.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #MayflowerStamp.

Who:

Kristin Seaver, chief retail and delivery officer and executive vice president, U.S. Postal Service

When:

Thursday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. EDT.

Where:

The virtual stamp event will be hosted on the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information, visit usps.com/mayflower.

Background:

On Dec. 16, 1620, a ship that carried 102 English passengers completed a perilous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth, England, and anchored offshore of today’s Plymouth, MA. The Mayflower’s passengers would become known to us as Pilgrims, and the story of their settlement in America would inspire future generations and become part of the larger story of the nation’s founding ideals.

The Pilgrims’ story is intertwined with the story of the Wampanoag — People of the First Light — who made an alliance with the Pilgrims and forged a treaty with them that maintained relative peace for more than 50 years. The Pilgrims might not have survived their first year without the help and advice of the Wampanoag, with whom they celebrated their first harvest in the fall of 1621.

The Mayflower Compact, Plymouth Rock, Thanksgiving — all became part of the enduring legacy of this tiny band of settlers we honor on the 400th anniversary.

Artist Greg Harlin illustrated the stamp, using a combination of watercolor, gouache and acrylics, with some digital refining to convey a scene of desolate beauty at the end of the Pilgrims’ harrowing journey to an unfamiliar world.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp and pane.

The Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products

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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