As post offices nationwide face downsizing and people forget the art of the hand-written, snail mailed letter, The U.S. Postal Service isn’t giving up without a fight.
It announced Monday that it is ending its longstanding and boring rule that stamps cannot feature people who are still alive. The rule used to be a person had to be dead 10 years before they got a stamp unless it was a dead president. Nearly 5 years ago, they shortened the time to five years.
Now the post office is considering stamps for acclaimed athletes, pop culture icons and other famous faces. And here I was, all geeked up over the Disney collection. Turns out we might get an Obama or a Jordan.
“This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor,” Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement.
The USPS is inviting suggestions through Facebook, Twitter, a postal service website and by mail to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development, Room 3300, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington DC 20260.
View upcoming stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website
