22 April - Earth Day
One Earth, One Family: Earth Day 50th anniversary celebrations
Date of Issue : 14 February 2020
Earth Day originated in 1970 as a way to underscore the need for conservation of the Earth’s natural resources and is celebrated by the United Nations on 22 April each year. In 2020, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’, the Vatican marks for the first time what is the largest environmental event on the planet.
The philatelic minisheet of two values issued for the occasion (0.30 and 1.10 euros), designed by the artist Joyce Chiarella, aims to seek and simultaneously represent everywhere the beauty and harmony of creation: in the forms, in the sounds and colours of nature, but also in the face of a child with its innocent gaze admiring the surroundings. In the upper left sun shines on the coat of arms of Pope Francis, while the moon, on the right, reflects the title of the issue. This celebration aims to remind us that creation is a gift we have received from God and, for this reason, as the Holy Father teaches in Laudato si’, we have a mission to care for it and to protect it.
Environmental art on 2020 UN Earth Day Stamps
Date of Issue : 22 April 2020
Earth Day has been observed on 22 April each year in many countries since 1970. The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 April as International Mother Earth Day in 2009.
Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance.
Earth Day also recognizes a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.
For this stamp issue, UNPA has selected six artists whose works are influenced by environmental issues. Each sheet contains an artist’s statement describing how the planet and sustainability has inspired their work.
Designer: Rorie Katz (United Nations)
– US$ 0.55 – Zaria Forman (USA)
– US$ 1.20 – Courtney Mattison (USA)
– CHF 1,00 – Mathilde Roussel (France)
– CHF 2,00 – Benjamin Von Wong (Canada)
– € 0,85 – Paul Villinski (USA)
– € 1,35 – Nicole Dextras (Canada)
Earth Day stamp from USPS
Date of Issue : 18 April 2020
The United States Postal Service issued a forever stamp on April 18 to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Special Digital cancellation
The U.S. Postal Service honors the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by putting its own stamp on raising awareness of our environment and the communities in which we live and serve. The new Earth Day Forever stamp marks five decades of Americans coming together to celebrate the importance of protecting the environment. The stamp was issued onon April 18,2020.
The Postal Service had canceled the first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Earth Day stamp due to social distancing guidance.