The U.S. Postal Service announced on March 5, 2026, a new pane of 25 Forever commemorative stamps titled “Figures of the American Revolution,” honoring individuals from diverse backgrounds whose contributions shaped the nation’s independence during the Revolutionary era, timed to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
The stamps feature original portraits arranged in a five-by-five grid, created under art director and designer Ethel Kessler with illustrator Tim O’Brien, incorporating work from a dozen contemporary artists including Dale Stephanos, Marc Burckhardt, Kam Mak, and others. The designs highlight a cross-section of society—women, men, Native Americans, African Americans, political thinkers, military leaders, diplomats, writers, and everyday citizens—reflecting broad support for independence beyond well-known figures.
A free, public interactive first-day-of-issue event runs from April 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET through April 12 at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. Attendees can RSVP at usps.com/figuresrevolutionstamps. The release uses the hashtag #FiguresRevolutionStamps for sharing. Stamps go on sale nationwide April 10 as Forever stamps, valued at the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate indefinitely, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane (Item 488300) that must remain intact and not be split or sold individually.
The pane forms part of USPS’s broader 2026 program commemorating the semiquincentennial, alongside issues like the Declaration of Independence stamp. Official announcements emphasize the collective effort behind independence, with portraits depicting figures such as Abigail Adams, John Adams, James Armistead, Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Freeman (Mumbet), Bernardo de Gálvez, Nathanael Greene, and others from various rows, as detailed in philatelic previews and artist credits.
While the stamps celebrate national history, their themes of diverse contributions resonate in Southern Maryland, where Revolutionary War impacts unfolded through local militias, supply routes along the Chesapeake, and figures tied to Maryland’s role in the Continental effort—such as recruitment, privateering, and support for independence. The National Postal Museum event offers collectors and history enthusiasts an accessible way to engage with this milestone release.
The announcement aligns with USPS’s ongoing efforts to highlight American milestones through philately, building on prior Revolution-related issues like the 2025 Battlefields of the American Revolution pane.