Each year the International Day of Peace is observed globally on 21 September. The UN has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among, all nations and peoples.

The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) is marking this occasion with the issuance of three stamps and three souvenir sheets featuring the world-renowned musician John Lennon.

The souvenir sheets include the song lyrics of “Imagine,” John Lennon’s signature, and his self-portrait.

The year 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of the recording of “Imagine”, which is the most successful single of Lennon’s solo career.

The song has been performed at some of the world’s biggest events – including concerts for peace, hunger, New Year’s celebrations, and the Olympic Games – and has been played as a hopeful message during troubling times.

The song lyrics encourage us to put aside all differences and unify to imagine a world of peace – without greed, hunger, or barriers separating people and nations.

We can best honour the International Day of Peace by standing up against acts of hate, and by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope so the world can “live as one” – just as John Lennon imagined.

The stamps and souvenir sheets feature photographs by Bob Gruen (US$ value), Iain Macmillan (CHF value), and David Nutter (Euro value).

The stamps were illustrated by Martin Mörck (Norway) based on the photographs. The stamp issue was designed by Rorie Katz (United Nations). 

A surcharge has been added to the stamps which will help fund UN peacekeeping operations.

To purchase these stamps, as well as other UNPA products, go to unstamps.org or visit the UNPA stamp shops in New York, Geneva, and Vienna where the stamps can be used for mailing. 

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The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) is in the Facilities & Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) in the Division of Administration (DOA), of the Department of Operational Support (DOS). 

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