Poster stamp celebrating American Independence Day

Poster stamp celebrating the Fourth of July, issued by the Disabled Persons Association of America. Poster stamps were collectable stamps, slightly larger than postage stamps, with designs similar to posters. Although they were not valid for postage, poster stamps could be affixed to letters and envelopes as a means for fundraising, propaganda, and educational purposes. The image shows two physically disabled men, one in a formal military uniform, and the other in a suit, celebrating the Fourth of July. The first American Independence Day was celebrated in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The holiday is celebrated annually by Americans from all walks of life, and is also known as the Fourth of July. The Disabled Persons Association of America was a non-profit organization, with headquarters in Chicago. It was composed of disabled persons who remained home during the war and volunteered to aid returning veterans. Historically, the physically disabled were considered pitiful individuals, unable to contribute to society. In the United States, after World War I, returning disabled veterans pressured the U.S. government to provide assistance in exchange for their service. Franklin Roosevelt, the first president with a physical disability, also advocated for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. After WWII, returning disabled veterans brought disability issues into public discourse, creating opportunities for the traditionally marginalized population. Advances in prosthetics utilizing modern materials further helped the disabled a newfound self-reliance and independence.