The United States Postal Service released the Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult Forever stamps during a ceremony at the National Eagle Center amphitheater on Thursday, May 14th. Illustrated by wildlife artist David Sibley, the five unique designs depict the eagle from its time as a hatchling to adulthood. The event drew over 300 people to Wabasha. Mayor Emily Durand served as the master of ceremonies.

Speakers included National Eagle Center Executive Director Michael Smith, USPS Board of Governors member Daniel M. Tangherlini, Compliance Officer for Tribal Historic Preservation at Prairie Island Indian Community Franky Jackson, American eagle collector Preston Cook, and author/illustrator David Allen Sibley.

Tangherlini discussed why the US Post Service decided to create five realistic illustrations of the bald eagle for its new stamp and Jackson discussed why the eagle is so important for the Dakota nation. Sibley created the original artwork and shared with the audience about the challenges of drawing a bird the size of a postage stamp. Preston Cook, who donated over 40,000 eagle artifacts to the National Eagle Center, discussed the history of stamps and the eagle. The audience was delighted when, during the ceremony, two bald eagles flew overhead.

The bald eagle has been a national emblem since Congress adopted the Great Seal in 1782, though it wasn’t designated the national bird until 2024.

What a great day to be in Wabasha and the new ampitheater, built in partnership with the City of Wabasha, was the perfect location for this momentous day.

Thank you to Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post 4086 and American Legion Post 50 for the Presentation of Colors and to Isaac Solberg and Henry Thyren for singing the National Anthem.

To see the full press release by the US Postal Service click here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bald-eagle-stamps-take-flight-302772072.html