1965 Selma march honored on new USPS envelope

A special envelope honoring the 50th anniversary of the civil rights march in Selma, Ala., was unveiled March 7 during a ceremony in Selma.

United States Postal Service Alabama District General Clerk Marvin Owens is responsible for the envelope's design. The cachet features several important Selma landmarks, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge where, on March 7, 1965, civil rights protestors clashed with local police on what is referred to as "Bloody Sunday." The envelope also includes a color photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. walking arm-in-arm with fellow marchers.

The envelope is franked with the 2013 forever stamp commemorating the 1963 March on Washington (Scott 4804), canceled with a March 7 commemorative postmark from Selma.

Below the imagery is printed the phrases, "Selma to Montgomery/Footsteps to Democracy," and "50th Anniversary." The "50th" comes in both blue and gold print.

The envelopes can be ordered by filling out and sending in this form. 

Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman spoke during the 50th anniversary event about the role of the U.S. Postal Service as an important employer of African Americans, calling it a "gateway to the middle class" during the early 20th century.

"It's a source of tremendous pride for us and one of the reasons for our long term success as an organization," Stroman said. 

President Obama was also on hand for the ceremony along with former President George W. Bush, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), and others.