Soviet Union postage stamp: Soviet rocket c. 1961 April 12th, 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin.

Soviet Union postage stamp: Soviet rocket

c. 1961

April 12th, 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin.

United States stamp: George Washington c. 1860s In 2011, Presidents’ Day falls out on February 21st, one day before George Washington’s birth date of February 22, 1732.

United States stamp: George Washington

c. 1860s

In 2011, Presidents’ Day falls out on February 21st, one day before George Washington’s birth date of February 22, 1732.

Israel postage stamp: Holocaust Memorial Day c. 1962, from the Heroes and Martyrs series “In memory of the Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust and their struggle for survival” —via IPF designed by C. Menusy & Ch. Ornan

Israel postage stamp: Holocaust Memorial Day

c. 1962, from the Heroes and Martyrs series

“In memory of the Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust and their struggle for survival” —via IPF

designed by C. Menusy & Ch. Ornan

Mexico stamp: Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. c. 1968 design by Lance Wyman, (more info via design:related).

Mexico stamp: Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. c. 1968

design by Lance Wyman, (more info via design:related).

China stamp: Chiang Kai-Shek On September 13th, 1943, Chiang Kai-Shek became the president of China. The above stamp is from 1945 and was released in honor of the Victory of the Allied Nations over Japan.

China stamp: Chiang Kai-Shek

On September 13th, 1943, Chiang Kai-Shek became the president of China. The above stamp is from 1945 and was released in honor of the Victory of the Allied Nations over Japan.

Russia stamp: Luna 2 On September 12th, 1959, The Luna 2 was launched.

Russia stamp: Luna 2

On September 12th, 1959, The Luna 2 was launched.

Israel stamps: New Year / Festivals 5719 This set was released in 1958 as part of Israel’s annual “Joyous Festivals” series. The tab reads: ”A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of oil olive, and honey” Deuteronomy VIII, 8. They were designed by Zvi Narkiss. View high resolution

Israel stamps: New Year / Festivals 5719

This set was released in 1958 as part of Israel’s annual “Joyous Festivals” series. The tab reads: ”A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of oil olive, and honey” Deuteronomy VIII, 8.

They were designed by Zvi Narkiss.

United States stamp: Labor day This postage stamp was released on September 3rd, 1956 in honor of Labor Day which began back in 1882. In the left-hand corner there is a quote by Thomas Carlyle. I originally thought it read “Qarlyle.”

United States stamp: Labor day

This postage stamp was released on September 3rd, 1956 in honor of Labor Day which began back in 1882.

In the left-hand corner there is a quote by Thomas Carlyle. I originally thought it read “Qarlyle.”