2026 International Peace Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service recognizes the goal of international peace with a stamp featuring an origami crane — a symbol of global peace.

The origins of the crane as a symbol for peace began with Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when she was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima in 1945. She was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12, in February 1955. While hospitalized, she began folding origami cranes (called orizuru in Japanese). In Japanese folklore, cranes are mythical creatures representing longevity because they are believed to live for 1,000 years. The practice of the senbazuru (folding 1,000 cranes) is believed to grant one wish to anyone who completes the task. Sadako continued folding cranes for the remainder of her life, passing away on October 25, 1955.

Sue DiCicco, artist and founder of the Peace Crane Project, was chosen to fold the crane used on the stamp, and Sally Andersen-Bruce was selected to photograph it after working with art director Antonio Alcalá on the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Lunar New Year stamps.

While the stamp may look like a simple design, art director Alcalá says it’s more complicated than it seems. After Andersen-Bruce photographed the crane, he had to adjust the shadows to make the crane look like it was in flight. He said arranging the text around the crane so it would appear in a natural position and fitting it on the small size of the stamp was a challenge.

Alcalá says these stamps carry a message that is as relevant as ever.

“One reason these stamps are important is that they enable people to send and receive a message of peace — a condition everyone hopes to live in.”

The International Peace stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp in panes of 20. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.

Best Uses

• Personal letters
• Greeting cards
• Invitations and announcements
• Small business correspondence
• Stamp collecting

Mailing Notes

Before mailing, confirm that the selected stamp type matches the current size, weight, shape and destination requirements for your envelope, card or package. Postal requirements can change, and some mailpieces may need additional postage.

For invitations, business mail or time-sensitive cards, prepare one sample envelope first and check the final weight and dimensions before applying postage to the full batch.

Independent Retailer Disclosure

Tool Stamps is an independent stamp retailer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by USPS. Product names, stamp themes and postal terms are used only to identify the items offered.

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