Forever Stamps 2026: Complete List & Design Details

Treasures of the Revolutionary Era

Issue Date: May 23, 2026

Created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this remarkable prestige booklet from the USPS brings history to life through 10 fascinating artifacts from the Revolutionary era.

The booklet contains 20 First-Class Forever stamps arranged in two identical panes of 10, featuring objects such as a soldier’s powder horn, the commander in chief’s flag, a patriotic tavern sign, and a historic wampum treaty belt. Together, these artifacts tell powerful stories of courage, sacrifice, and the everyday lives of people who shaped America’s fight for independence.

Art director Ethel Kessler approached the project like a museum curator, carefully selecting objects that not only stand out individually but also connect to form a larger historical narrative. Some artifacts are instantly recognizable, while others reveal lesser-known aspects of the Revolution, highlighting the complexity and diversity of the era.

More than just a collection of stamps, the prestige booklet offers an immersive historical experience. Detailed text and images provide valuable context, explaining how ordinary objects symbolized extraordinary ideas. For example, a spinning wheel represents colonial self-reliance, while the Badge of Military Merit – the forerunner of the Purple Heart – honors the sacrifices of common soldiers.

By combining stamps, storytelling, and historical artifacts, the booklet invites collectors and history enthusiasts to look beyond famous battles and dates and connect with the real people and ideals that defined the American Revolution. It is both a tribute to the nation’s founding and a celebration of the enduring spirit of freedom and resilience.

Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult

Issue Date: May 14, 2026

In 2026, the USPS pays tribute to America’s national bird with the beautiful new Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult stamp series. The collection captures the remarkable journey of the Bald Eagle from tiny hatchling to majestic adult, highlighting one of the nation’s most powerful symbols of freedom and strength.

Since June 20, 1782, the bald eagle has represented the spirit of the United States. Chosen by Congress as the nation’s emblem, the eagle symbolizes courage, independence, and resilience. Today, it appears on the Great Seal of the United States, military insignia, currency, government buildings, and even the USPS logo, making it one of the most recognized national symbols in America.

Beyond its patriotic significance, the bald eagle also holds deep cultural importance in many Native American traditions, where eagle feathers and imagery have been used in ceremonies and storytelling for generations.

Designed by art director Derry Noyes, the new stamp series takes a realistic and natural approach, showcasing the bird’s changing appearance through five distinct life stages. Unlike many earlier stylized eagle stamps, this collection focuses on lifelike details and natural beauty.

• The first stamp features two fluffy one-week-old hatchlings as a parent eagle feeds them in the nest.
• The second stamp shows four-week-old eaglets with thicker grayish-white down feathers.
• The third depicts a one-year-old juvenile with dark brown feathers beginning to resemble an adult eagle.
• In the fourth stamp, the two-year-old eagle develops its recognizable lighter head and yellowish beak.
• The fifth stamp presents the fully mature bald eagle with its iconic white head, powerful yellow beak, and dark brown body feathers.

Adding to the presentation, the stamp pane selvage includes a stunning photograph by Craig Goodwin showing an adult eagle watching over two hatchlings in their nest.

The Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult stamps continue a long tradition of eagle-themed U.S. postage dating back to 1869. With their striking artwork and educational theme, these stamps celebrate both the natural beauty of America’s national bird and its enduring place in the nation’s history and identity.

Route 66 – 100th anniversary of the iconic road

Issue date: May 5, 2026

For nearly a century, travelers have chased freedom, adventure, and the spirit of the American Dream along the legendary Route 66. Known as the “Mother Road,” this iconic highway originally stretched almost 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, connecting small towns, deserts, diners, motels, and unforgettable roadside attractions across America.

States Traversed: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Established on November 11, 1926, Route 66 quickly became more than just a road – it became a symbol of hope, exploration, and endless possibilities.

Families fleeing hardship during the Great Depression, road-trippers searching for adventure, and dreamers heading west all traveled this historic highway, making it one of the most famous roads in the world.

Now, as Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, the United States Postal Service is celebrating its remarkable legacy with a stunning new collection of commemorative stamps.

Route 66 stamps honor not only the highway’s cultural importance but also the people who continue working to preserve this uniquely American treasure.

Creating the stamp series was no small task. USPS art director Greg Breeding described the project as “daunting” at first because Route 66 carries such a rich visual and historical legacy.

Everything changed when researchers connected him with acclaimed Route 66 photographer David Schwartz, whose passion for the road spans more than 20 years.

A Day at the Beach

Issue date: April 24, 2026

The USPS is bringing summer vibes to the mail with four new beach-themed stamps issued in booklets of 20.

Inspired by the relaxing joy of coastal getaways, the stamps celebrate everything people love about the beach – from walking along the shore and building sandcastles to collecting seashells, watching seagulls, and biking on the boardwalk.

These cheerful beach stamps 2026 capture the carefree spirit and unforgettable memories of summer by the sea.

Happy Birthday

Issue date: April 18, 2026

After a five-year break, the USPS is once again celebrating birthdays with a brand-new stamp specially designed for birthday cards, invitations, letters, and packages.

The cheerful birthday stamp 2026 features a large white birthday cake topped with bright, colorful candles and the bold message “HAPPY BIRTH DAY!” displayed across three lines.

Birthday celebrations have a long history dating back thousands of years. In early America, birthdays were mostly celebrated by wealthy families or to honor famous figures like George Washington. By the late 19th century, however, birthday parties became popular among everyday American children as family incomes grew and attitudes toward childhood changed.

This new release marks the fifth birthday-themed stamp issued by USPS.

• The first Happy Birthday stamp debuted in 1987 and featured a slice of cake with a glowing candle.
• Another colorful candle-themed design followed in 1988.
• A festive confetti-style birthday stamp appeared in 2002.
• The 2021 issue featured a playful design inspired by childhood parties, complete with balloons, cake, candles, a party hat, and a piñata.

Figures of the American Revolution

Issue date: April 10, 2026

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the USPS has released a special pane of 25 stamps honoring the diverse individuals who shaped the American Revolution.

The collection features famous leaders like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Abigail Adams, alongside lesser-known heroes such as Deborah Sampson and James Armistead Lafayette.

Art director Ethel Kessler led the ambitious project, bringing together 12 artists who created unique portraits using different artistic styles and media.

An American flag in the background helps unify the designs, while the Declaration of Independence adds historical depth to the pane.

More than just stamps, the collection tells a powerful story of courage, sacrifice, and the many people who helped build the nation.

Sunflowers

Issue date: March 14, 2026

The 2026 Sunflowers stamp celebrates a versatile native flower admired for its beauty, nutrition, economic value, and ecological importance.

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus), named from Greek words meaning “sun” and “flower,” is one of more than 50 species found across North America. Young plants display heliotropism – tracking the sun from east to west – before becoming upright as they mature.

Sunflowers provide nectar and seeds for birds, bees, and butterflies, while also benefiting the environment through drought tolerance, deep-root soil improvement, and natural pest control. Easy to grow, they thrive in poor soil but require abundant sunlight.

Designed by Greg Breeding, the stamp continues the USPS tradition of honoring native wildflowers, following earlier issues such as American Wildflowers (1992), Wild Orchids (2020), and Mountain Flora (2022).

Lowriders

Issue date: March 13, 2026

These stamps celebrate lowrider culture, which began in the 1940s within Mexican American and Chicano communities of the American Southwest. Known for driving “low and slow,” lowrider cars are artistically customized with vibrant paint, chrome details, and hydraulic systems that allow them to bounce or rise off the ground. Today, this distinctive automotive culture is recognized by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and embraced by car clubs worldwide.

The stamps feature photographs by Philip Gordon and Humberto “Beto” Mendoza, highlighting several iconic customized cars, including a 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline, 1958 Chevrolet Impala, 1963 Chevrolet Impala, 1964 Chevrolet Impala, and a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

Designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, the stamps use photography to showcase the craftsmanship behind each vehicle. Gothic-style lettering and decorative pinstriping by Danny Alvarado further reflect the bold style and artistic traditions of lowrider culture.

Harriet Powers

Issue date: February 28, 2026

Four stamps honor Harriet Powers (1837–1910), a formerly enslaved woman whose quilts are considered masterpieces of American folk art and storytelling. Only two of her quilts are known to survive today.

Born on a plantation near Athens, Georgia, Powers learned sewing as a child. After emancipation, she and her husband settled in Sandy Creek, Georgia, where they raised a family and farmed their land. During this time, Powers created several quilts featuring scenes from the Bible and local stories.

Her most famous works – the Bible Quilt (1886) and the Pictorial Quilt (1898) – are known as story quilts because each panel depicts a narrative through appliqué and embroidery. The new stamp pane features four panels from the Pictorial Quilt, highlighting the vivid imagery and storytelling that made Powers’s work historically significant.

Bruce Lee

Issue date: February 18, 2026

Chinese American martial artist, actor, and filmmaker Bruce Lee (1940–1973) broke barriers as the first Asian leading man in American film. With unmatched skill, charisma, and screen presence, he reshaped action cinema and influenced everything from popular culture to mixed martial arts through his philosophy of Jeet Kune Do (“The Way of the Intercepting Fist”).

Major Films & TV Appearances

• The Green Hornet (1966–1967) – Played Kato, introducing his martial arts talent to American audiences.
• The Big Boss (1971) – His breakout Hong Kong hit.
• Fist of Fury (1972) – Cemented his superstar status in Asia.
• The Way of the Dragon (1972) – Produced, directed, wrote, and starred; famous for the Colosseum fight scene.
• Enter the Dragon (1973) – His first major Hollywood production and global breakthrough.
• Game of Death – Released posthumously.

Tragically, Bruce Lee died on July 20, 1973, at age 32 – just weeks before the premiere of Enter the Dragon. Yet his legacy endures, inspiring generations of filmmakers, athletes, and fans worldwide.

Lunar New Year • Year of the Horse

Issue date: February 3, 2026

In 2026, the U.S. Postal Service releases the seventh stamp in its latest Lunar New Year series, a 12-stamp collection celebrating the rich traditions of the holiday.

Launched in 2020, this third – and current – Lunar New Year series honors each zodiac animal in sequence. The 2026 issue marks the seventh stamp in the series, which will continue through 2031 with designs representing the Year of the Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

The Year of the Horse stamp showcases a striking, colorful three-dimensional mask shaped like a horse, reflecting the festive artistry associated with the holiday.

The Year of the Horse begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027. Individuals born under this sign are often described as energetic, independent, confident, and hardworking. In many cultures, the horse symbolizes speed, strength, and endurance – qualities linked to success, determination, and prosperity in the year ahead.

In the United States, the Year of the Horse holds special appeal for its associations with ambition, freedom, and self-reliance – values that strongly resonate with the American spirit.

Phillis Wheatley

Issue date: January 29, 2026

The 49th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753-1784), the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book. Enslaved as a child in West Africa and brought to Boston, Wheatley was educated in the household of John Wheatley and began writing poetry at a young age.

Her 1773 collection, Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral, earned acclaim in America and Britain, showcasing her skill in religious, elegiac, and philosophical verse. Freed from slavery in 1773, she later expressed support for the American Revolution and even exchanged correspondence with George Washington, who praised her talent.

The stamp artwork, created by Kerry James Marshall, reimagines Wheatley as confident and self-possessed, inspired by the only known portrait published in her 1773 book.

Though she died in her early thirties, Wheatley’s poetry was widely reprinted and later championed by abolitionists as proof of the intellectual achievements of people of African descent. Today, she is remembered as a pioneering literary figure – often called the “mother of African American literature”—whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

Colorado Statehood

Issue date: January 24, 2026

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876 – exactly 100 years after American independence – earning the nickname the Centennial State. In 2026, it celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood.

The Colorado Statehood stamp features a striking photograph of Jagged Mountain in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan National Forest, highlighting the state’s rugged natural beauty.

Named from the Spanish word colorado, meaning “red,” the state is renowned for its Rocky Mountain landscapes. Covering about 104,000 square miles, Colorado is the eighth largest state and has the highest average elevation in the nation at approximately 6,800 feet. Denver, the capital, is its largest metropolitan area, along with Colorado Springs, Aurora, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and Fort Collins.

Colorado is home to four national parks – Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde – along with numerous forests and monuments offering year-round outdoor recreation. Rich in history and culture, the state also features historic districts, museums, a thriving craft brewery scene, and the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, one of its most visited landmarks.

Muhammad Ali

Issue date: January 15, 2026

This powerful commemorative stamp honors Muhammad Ali — the legendary boxer, cultural figure, and civil rights icon. Known for his unmatched skill in the ring and bold influence outside it, Ali transformed sport and society alike.

Widely known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion whose influence extended far beyond the sport.

Adding to the design’s energy, the name “ALI” appears repeatedly across the stamps, alternating from top to bottom in shades of dark brown and red.

The stamp pane is arranged in a striking checkerboard format and features a powerful black-and-white Associated Press photograph from 1974. The image captures Ali’s commanding presence and unmistakable charisma.

Love

Issue date: January 13, 2026

The 2026 Love stamps captures affection through four delightful scenes of stylized birds interacting in a whimsical world filled with hearts. These tender illustrations evoke gentle moments of care and connection – perfect for wedding invitations, Valentine’s gestures, anniversary mail, and everyday expressions of love.

Across the designs, the bird couples express affection through simple, thoughtful gestures. Whether perched among branches decorated with hearts, sharing a heart-shaped flower, playfully investigating hearts drifting down like spring petals, or resting peacefully beneath a heart-shaped moon, each scene conveys a universal message: true love is found in quiet moments of togetherness and care.