Kuwaiti National Day Stamps
Kuwait celebrates its National Independence Day on February 25th each year, marking its independence from the United Kingdom. Kuwait gained its independence on June 19, 1961, during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. In 1964, a decree was issued merging Independence Day with the anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah's accession to the throne, both of which fall on February 25th.
This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of Kuwait's independence, or National Day, and coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait from the 1991 Iraqi invasion led by Saddam Hussein. To commemorate these two occasions, the Kuwaiti government issued several commemorative items, including special coins and postage stamps. We discussed this further in a previous article. Kuwaiti National Day Coins But this time we are talking about the commemorative postage stamps that were recently issued for those occasions.
The Postal Sector of the Ministry of Communications of the State of Kuwait issued a new set of postage stamps for both occasions.
1- The sixtieth anniversary of Kuwait's National Day:
Two stamps were issued to celebrate this occasion. One of them featured a picture of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, the Emir of the country, in the middle of the stamp, on a black background with blue accents. The picture was surrounded by a white frame. At the top right was the emblem of the State of Kuwait, and at the top left was written the price category of 150 fils. At the top of the stamp in the middle was written ”National Day of the State of Kuwait” in Arabic, while at the bottom was written in Arabic ”The Sixtieth Anniversary of National Day of the State of Kuwait” and in English “The 60th Anniversary of National Day of the State of Kuwait”.”
The next stamp featured the same design but included a portrait of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad. A complete set of twenty stamps was issued: ten stamps for His Highness the Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad and ten stamps for His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad, each on a separate row.
2- The thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of the State of Kuwait:
One stamp was issued to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of the State of Kuwait, in different colors, all bearing the same design. The postage stamp features a picture of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, the Emir of the country, standing next to him, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad, and behind them one of the famous Kuwait Towers. However, different colors were chosen for the background of the stamp, such as red, black, yellow, and green.
At the top right is the emblem of the State of Kuwait, and at the top left is written the price category 150 fils. At the top of the stamp in the middle is written ”State of Kuwait” in Arabic and ”State of Kuwait” in English. At the bottom is written in Arabic ”The 30th Anniversary of the Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait” and in English “The 30th Anniversary of Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait”.”
Regarding Kuwait's independence:
The State of Kuwait gained its independence on Monday, specifically on the 5th of Muharram 1381 AH, corresponding to June 19, 1961 AD. This independence came after negotiations that began after the British High Commissioner in Kuwait informed the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, of Britain’s intention to withdraw from Kuwait and grant it independence. In return, the Emir of Kuwait would establish a parliament with limited powers and a free or semi-free press. Preparations for Kuwait’s independence began in 1958 AD with the issuance of laws such as the Kuwaiti Nationality Law and other laws that create a sovereign state and an independent entity.
It is considered a national holiday celebrated by Kuwaitis every year.
Regarding Liberation Day:
It is a day celebrated on February 26th of each year in Kuwait, commemorating the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 from Iraqi occupation during the Second Gulf War. It is one of the official holidays in Kuwait and coincides with Kuwait's National Day, which is celebrated on February 25th of each year.
