African-American history museum to celebrate anniversary with ‘forever’ stamp

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will soon celebrate its one-year anniversary, and the organization is commemorating the occasion with a “forever” stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

»RELATED: How to get tickets for the national African American history museum

The USPS announced the news Sept. 26, revealing that the stamp, which is based on the outside aesthetic of the museum, will be available nationwide Friday.

There will also be a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on the same day the postage goes on sale to honor the successes of the attraction thus far.

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“Black history is inseparable from American history, and the black experience represents a profound and unique strand of the American story,” the USPS said in a statement. “This stamp issuance recognizes the richness of that experience by celebrating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.”

Since opening on Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)has generated demand for tickets the likes of which are usually reserved for hit plays, popular concerts or major sporting events. Nearly three-quarters of a million people have already visited the NMAAHC, which is the newest museum in the Smithsonian Institution and houses close to 37,000 rare artifacts within three stories.

These include historical items such as Nat Turner's Bible and a shawl worn by Harriett Tubman, as well as documents, photography and other materials. It also contains some items -- such photographs of lynchings -- that show the violence endured by African-Americans.

The museum also celebrates popular culture with items such as the reconstructed set from “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

The public had been invited to attend the dedication ceremony for the Celebrating African-American History and Culture Forever stamp, but, much like the museum itself, it has reached capacity. The ceremony can be watched live on the USPS Facebook page Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.

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