Muhammad Ali, a three-time heavyweight champion, will be honored with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp for the first time.
the Associated Press reports that Ali, renowned for his skill in the ring and his advocacy for racial justice, will join the Postal Service’s Forever Stamp collection.
“As sort of the guardian of his legacy, I’m thrilled, excited, and ecstatic,” said Lonnie Ali, the champ’s wife of nearly 30 years, to The Associated Press. “People will remember him every time they look at that stamp. He will be in the forefront of their consciousness, and that’s a thrill for me.”
Unveiling of the Muhammad Ali forever Stamp
The unveiling will occur Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali’s birthplace and the location of the Muhammad Ali Center. The stamp features a black and white photo of Ali taken by an Associated Press photographer in 1974 during his prime.
Each sheet of 20 stamps also includes an image of Ali in a pinstripe suit, representing his work as an activist and humanitarian. The USPS printed 22 million stamps, and they won’t be reprinted once sold out.
How The Stamp Came To Be
lisa Bobb-Semple, the USPS director of stamp services, said the idea for a Muhammad Ali stamp originated almost ten years ago.USPS guidelines require individuals on stamps to be deceased for at least three years, with presidents being the exception.
Honorees must meet specific criteria to gain committee approval. A friend of Ali launched the #GetTheChampAStamp campaign, generating public support for the stamp while the USPS worked on it behind the scenes.
“We are really excited that everything aligned to bring the stamp to fruition,” said Bobb-Semple, who kept the project secret until its official announcement. “It’s one we’ve always wanted to bring to the market.”
A Social Justice Icon
Ali’s black pride intensified after discovering the Nation of Islam. He requested to be called “Muhammad Ali” rather of his “slave name,” Cassius Clay. his association with the group, led by Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, made him a significant, yet controversial, figure during the Civil Rights era, opposing integration and the Vietnam War.
Ali dared to challenge political norms to help others. He participated in goodwill missions to Afghanistan and North Korea,delivered medical supplies to Cuba during an embargo,secured the release of 15 U.S. hostages from Iraq, and visited South Africa on a humanitarian mission after Nelson Mandela’s release.