Norway - Cooperatives Centenary

Norway has issued a psecial stamp to commemorate the centenary of consumer cooperatives. The stamp was launched on June 9, 2006.

Consumer Cooperatives Centenary

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Excerpt taken from one source - topoftheworld;

In 1906, a joint organisation, the Norwegian Co-Operative Union and Wholesale Society (NKL), was founded. It had 28 member societies, but it took a long time before it became a nation-wide organisation. By 1925, the majority of cooperative societies had joined NKL.

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Macedonia - Explorer 1 Satellite

After the Sputnik-1 satellite was launched by the Russian it was soon followed by the US satellite counterpart - the Explorer-1. Explorer-1 was launched in 1958 and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2008. A special commemorative stamp was issued by Macedonia to mark the anniversary. The stamp was launched on January 31st, 2008 in Skopje by the US Ambassador to Macedonia (read here).

Macedonia: Explorer-1 Anniversary (2008)

More about Explorer-1 history, its stamps and other philatelics product information are available - here.

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Hungary - First Hungarian Cosmonaut

Hungary has joined the space exploration by 1980. Bertalan Farkas was the first Hungarian Cosmonaut. He, along with Soviet cosmonaut Valeri Kubasov, was launched into space on Soyuz 36 from Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 26, 1980. While in orbit Farkas conducted experiments on material science. After 7 days 20 hours and 45 minutes and having completed 124 orbits, Farkas and Kubasov returned to Earth, landing 140 km southeast of Dzheskasgan. They returned from space mission on June 3, 1980.

On 26 May 26 2005, Hungary has issued a special to commemorate the anniversary of Bertalan Farkas space mission.

Hungary - 25th Anniversary of Hungarian Cosmonaut (2005)

The stamp design shows the space ship with geographical motifs referring to the Carpathian Basin and Hungary in the background.

More stories about it - here and here.

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Egypt - National Astronomical Institute

Egypt - Astronomical Research Institute Centenary

The National Institute of Astronomical and Geographical Research of Egypt celebrates its centenary in 2003. Actually, its official name is the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG). A special stamp has been issued by Egypt postal authority to mark the occasion. The stamp date of issue was September 7, 2003.

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Spain - 50 Years Television

Year 1953 saw television began its first transmission. The 50th anniversary of television was celebrated in 2003. Many countries have launched special stamp to commemorate the anniversary during 2003 up to 2008 period. Spain has issued a special stamps to mark the occasion. The stamp was issued on November 8, 2006.

Spain - 50 Years Television

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Other country which has issued stamp for the similar occasion include - Poland (20 October 2002), - Belgium (November 3, 2003), Japan (28 Jan 2003), Italy (Jan 3, 2004), Portugal (4 September 2006), Australia (October 24, 2006) and Serbia (June 16, 2008).

Read about the first 75 years history of television (from pre-1935) here - tvhistory.

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Monaco - Discovery of Penicilin

Alexander Flemming was the man who discovered penicillin. He discovered penicillin in the famous "mould in petri dish experiment" in 1928. Fleming realized that the mould in his petri dish was producing a substance that was killing the bacteria, and named it penicillin. To date, penicillin has become the most widely used antibiotic in the world.



A commemorative stamp to honor Flemming was issued by Monaco on September 1, 2003.

Monaco: Discovery of Penicillin (2003)

The full capabilities of penicillin were not officially noticed until 1940 by the two British scientists Baron Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain. (see stamp issued by Australia) and Ernst Boris Chain the two men that he shared the Nobel Prize with (in 1945). This brief was taken from an entry about medicine stamps at jcprolla. The entry also published an Australian stamp of Howard Florey issued in year ??.

Another entry on Flemming's discovered penicillin plus a special Guinea's stamp is available - here.

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Lithuania - Vilnius University Observatory

Astronomical Observatory at Vilnius University was built by Thomas Zebrowski (1714- 1758) and began its operation in 1753. The Observatory was celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2003. A special stamp to mark the occasion was issued by Lithuanian postal authority on May 10, 2003.

Astronomical Observatory of the University of Vilnius

The history of Vilnius U Astronomy Observartory can be read here. A 15-pages article "Astronomy at the Vilnius University" published in journal Baltic Astronomy in 1994 can be read - here.

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Azerbaijan - Artificial Satellite Anniversary

Azerbaijan: 50th Anniversary of the 1st artificial satellite

The first artificial satellite was introduced by the Russian. The satellite known as Sputnik-1 was launched on October 4, 1957. Sputnik is a Russian word means "travelling companion of the world". Azerbaijan has issued a commemorative stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik. The stamp was issued on November 28, 2007.

Other country which has issued similar commemorative stamp includes Bulgaria (2007), Russia (on April 12), Romania (on October 4), Syria (also Oct 4), Kazakhstan (Nov 27) and Macedonia (on January 31, 2008). An entry on Macedonia's stamp - read here.

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Sputnik-1 image (source here - englishrussia)

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Morocco _ Al-Aqsa Intifada

Intifada is a manifestation of Palestinian struggle against Zionism Israel. The intifada is supported by almost every Muslim countries including Morocco. A special commemorative stamp was issued by Moroccan postal authority to show its support. The stamp shown here was issued on September 28, 2002.

Morocco: Al-Aqsa Intifada (2002)

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Panama - 300 Years

Panama: The anniversary of Santo Tomas Hospital

Santo Tomas Hospital is the oldest and largest medical institution in Panama. It was established in 1703 and the hospital celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2003. A special stamp was issued to mark the occasion on November 11, 2003.

The hospital website is linked - here - but all in Spanish.

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Oman - Blood Donor Day

The World Health Organization has designated Jun 14 every year as the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). It was started in 2004 and made official begin June 2005. Read the declaration here - pdf file.

The Sultanate of Oman has issued a special stamp to mark the 2005 WBDD. The stamp was launched on June 14, 2005.

Oman (World Blood Donor Day - 2005)

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Note: UAE has issued WBDD stamp in 2007

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Italy - Spaghetti Stamp

Italy is the home to spaghetti. It is so remarkable to them. They even shown it on stamp. The spaghetti stamp issued on July 29, 2008 to commemorate the Spaghetti all'Amatriciana Festival.

Italy - Spaghetti all’amatriciana

The foreground features the traditional ingredients for pasta all’amatriciana: spaghetti, bacon, oil, white wine, tomatoes, hot peppers, and Romano cheese. In the background, there is a view of Mt. Gorzano and the street “Corso Umberto I” in the city of Amatrice.The words “MADE IN ITALY“, “SAGRA DEGLI SPAGHETTI ALL’AMATRICIANA” (FESTIVAL CELEBRATING SPAGHETTI ALL’AMATRICIANA), “ITALIA”, and the denomination “€ 0,60” complete the stamp.



Read more about the stamp - here.

A spaghetti menu- from Vivo !

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Russia - International Polar Year

International Polar Year (2007)

- The theme: Cultural and natural heritage of Arctic -

Year 2007 was designated by the UN as International Polar Year. Russia has issued a special stamp series to commemorate the Year. The stamps was launched on March 21st , 2007. The series consist of three stamp with different themes depicted.

Intenational Polar Year (2007)

The theme: research on ice surfaces.

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The theme: Drifting Scientific Stations "North Pole"

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Azerbaijan - State Republic Anniversary

Azerbaijan celebrates its 15th State Republic Anniversary in 2006. A special stamp was issued to commemorate the historic occasion. The stamp was issued on October 18, 2006.

Azerbaijan: 15th State Republic Anniversary (2006)

On the upper side of the stamp - the words " The 15th Anniversary of Azerbaijan State Independence". The stamp pictures the Azerbaijan State Emblem and Azerbaijan National flag.

More Azerbaijan's stamps can be found here.

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Everest Conquest Anniversary

India Ascent of Mt Everest Golden Jubilee

The famous Everest conquest expedition by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (in 1953) was celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003. Many countries have issued special stamps to mark the occasion. Stamps from India and Monaco are shown here. India's stamp was issued on May 29, 2003 while Monaco has it on September 29, 2003.

Monaco

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Special stamps to mark the same occasion has also issued by New Zealand (native country of Edmund Hillary) and Nepal (native country of Tenzing).

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India - Madras University

India's Madras University was established in 1857 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. The anniversary celebration was officially launched by President of India A P J Abdul Kalam. He was the alumni of Madras University (studied there in 1950-54). A special stamp to mark the occasion was issued on September 4, 2006.

150th Anniversary of Madras University

Madras University has produced two Nobel Laureates - C V Raman (in 1930) and Dr S Chandrasekar (in 1983). Another faculty member S R Srinivasavaradan has won Abel Prize (equivalent to Nobel Prize n mathematics). Read the report - here.

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Argentina - Year of Physics

Year 2005 was designated by UN as International Year of Physics (IYP). Several countries have issued special stamps in recognition of IYP (Taiwan is one of them). Argentina has also issued such stamps. The stamps were issued on April 23, 2005.

Argentina - Year of Physics (2005)

The stamp above was also issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Instituto Balseiro. It depict the image of Jose Antonio Balseiro (1919-1962).

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Einstein as IYP icon (Argentina - 2005)

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International Year of Physics stamps issued by other countries: Taiwan, Tunisia, ...

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Tunisia - University of Tunisia

Tunisia - 50th anniversary of Tunisia University

University of Tunisia was established in 1958. Its 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2008. The occasion was remembered with the issuing of a special stamp on November 11, 2008.

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Vietnam - Hanoi Medical University

Vietnam - Hanoi Medic University Centennial (2002)

Hanoi Medical University was established in 1902. Its centennial was celebrated in 2002. A special stamp to mark the occasion was issued on November 15, 2002. The stamp bear the image of Professor Ho Dac Di, the former rector of HMU and also Chairman of Medical Association of Vietnam.

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Spain - Al Manzor

Spain - Al Manzor (2002)

Al-Manzor was a famous Muslim figure during Islamic rule of Spain. A special stamp to commemorate Al-Manzor was issued by Spain postal authority. The stamp was launced on October 25, 2002. Read here for details (but it is in Spanish!). Other stamps of Spain are available there as well.

Al-Manzor's 2002 stamp was issued to honor his death centenary (c. 938 -1002) . Read about Al-Manzor here - from wiki source. List of other personalities whose appeared on Spanish stamp is available here - also of wiki.

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Iran - Reza Shah Dam

Iran - Reza Shah Dam (1963)

Reza Shah Dam is one of hydro dams in Iran. The dam construction was completed in 1963 and the occasion was marked by issuing of a commemorative stamp. The dam is situated in Khuzestan and is now renamed as Dez Dam. Picture of Dez Dam is available here - the photo is very clear. Dez Dam (or Reza Shah Dam) is recognized as one of the highest dam in the world (ie., 203 meter high) - read here.

In 1977 another stamp was issued depicting the same - Reza Shah Great Dam. But the purpose of issuing such stamp is not clear.

Reza Shah Great Dam stamp (1977)

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Nepal - Kaiser Library

Nepal - 100Years of Kaiser Library

Nepal is known as one of the undeveloped country. But it is interesting to know it has an old established National Library - Kaiser Library. The library celebrates it 100 years anniversary recently. A special stamp was issued on November 13, 2008 to commemorate the occasion.

Nepal National Library - Kaiser Library

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Libya Stamps

Libya - 1992

It is quite difficult to search information on Libyan stamps. Luckily there were two such stamps found at a site - flagsonstamp. The 1992 stamp was issued to commemorate the Arab Maghreb Union Philatelic Exhibition.

Libya - 1995

The 1995 stamp was issued on the occasion of the Arab League 50th anniversary .

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New Zealand - Railway Station

Dunedin Railway Station


On April 3, 2002 New Zealand Postal Authority has issued stamp series on the theme of architecture. The Dunedin Railway Station was chosen as to one of the selected architecture building. The station was built in 1906. Compare the the view of the original building below.

The Dunedin Station

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