The U.S. Postal Service plans to issue a Forever stamp honoring Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on Sept. 17, 2025. The two-ounce stamp, part of the Distinguished Americans series, recognizes Wiesel’s contributions as a writer and advocate for human rights. The first-day-of-issue ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, 1395 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10128. The event is free and open to the public, with registration encouraged at usps.com/eliewieselstamp.
Ronald A. Stroman, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official. Attendees can expect a program highlighting Wiesel’s legacy, including his role in preserving Holocaust memory. Customers may preorder the stamps online at usps.com, with shipping beginning on the issuance date. The Postal Service is promoting the release with the hashtag #ElieWieselStamp on social media.
Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with a photograph by Sergey Bermeniev. The words “Two Ounce” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it. It marks the 18th entry in the Distinguished Americans series, which began in 2000 to commemorate individuals who have shaped U.S. history through their achievements in fields such as military service, science and civil rights. Previous honorees include Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, biochemist Wilma Rudolph and journalist Katharine Graham. The series uses a consistent design style, often featuring black-and-white portraits with red accents, on standard-size stamps.
Wiesel, born Sept. 30, 1928, in Sighet, Romania, endured deportation to Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps during World War II, where he lost his parents and younger sister. After liberation in 1945, he moved to France, studied at the Sorbonne and began his career in journalism. His seminal work, “Night,” originally written in Yiddish and published in French in 1958 before an English edition in 1960, recounts his experiences in the camps and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The memoir emphasizes themes of faith, loss and moral responsibility, influencing global understanding of the Holocaust.
Becoming a U.S. citizen in 1963, Wiesel settled in New York and taught humanities at Boston University for decades. He authored more than 60 books, including novels like “Dawn” and “Day,” which form a trilogy with “Night,” as well as essays and plays exploring Jewish identity and ethical dilemmas. Wiesel’s advocacy extended to other genocides, including those in Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur, where he urged international intervention.
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed Wiesel chairman of the President’s Commission on the Holocaust, leading to the establishment of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1993. The museum, located near the National Mall, serves as a resource for education and remembrance, drawing visitors from across the country.
Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, described by the committee as a “messenger to mankind” for his efforts against violence and oppression. He used the award money to found the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity with his wife, Marion Rose Wiesel, who passed away in 2024. The foundation promotes ethics education and human rights initiatives, supporting programs in the U.S. and abroad.
The Postal Service announced the Wiesel stamp in June 2025, alongside holiday designs, as part of its schedule through September. The release aligns with ongoing efforts to highlight figures who embody resilience and moral courage. For philatelists and educators, the stamp offers a tangible way to discuss Holocaust history in classrooms and communities.
Southern Maryland’s proximity to Washington makes the museum a key site for local groups studying World War II and human rights. Schools in the region often incorporate “Night” into curricula, fostering discussions on tolerance and history. The stamp’s availability online ensures accessibility for area residents interested in collecting or using it for correspondence.
Wiesel died July 2, 2016, in New York, leaving a legacy that continues through his writings and institutions like the museum. The USPS stamp joins other tributes, ensuring his message reaches future generations.
