On today’s date in 2017, Canada Post unveiled its sixth Canada 150 stamp in commemoration of Terry Fox’s 5,373-kilometre Marathon of Hope.
Part of a 10-stamp commemorative program to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial, the Fox stamp was unveiled in St. John’s, N.L. Fox’s sister, Judith, was on hand to launch the stamp near the iconic “Mile 0,” where the Marathon of Hope began on April 12, 1980, as Fox dipped his artificial right leg into the Atlantic Ocean.
Children from Roncalli Elementary in St. John’s also participated in the unveiling with a display of posters explaining how Fox inspires them to achieve their goals.
This 30-cent stamp was issued by Canada Post in 1982, less than one year after Fox died in British Columbia—more than 5,000 kilometres from his starting point in St. John’s, Nfld.
PREVIOUS TERRY FOX STAMPS
Canada Post previously issued two stamps in commemoration of Fox and his achievements.
The first – issued April 13, 1982, less than a year after his death – was a 40-cent stamp (Scott #915) designed by Vancouver graphic artist Friedrich Peter, a former professor at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design.
More recently, in January 2000, the Crown corporation honoured Fox on a 46-cent stamp as part of its Millennium Collection.
‘CANADA 150’ SERIES
Fox was also commemorated on this 46-cent stamp issued as part of Canada Post’s Millennium Collection in 2000.
The first stamp of the Canada 150 series was unveiled in Montréal on April 27, 2017, by Habitat 67 architect Moshe Safdie in commemoration of Expo 67.
The second stamp, this in celebration of the Constitution and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, was unveiled on Parliament Hill on May 3 of that year.
The following day, the series’ third stamp was unveiled by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The fourth stamp, this honouring the 2005 passing of the Civil Marriage Act, was unveiled on May 8 in Toronto while the fifth stamp was unveiled on May 16 in commemoration of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Following the unveiling of the Fox stamp, three additional stamps were unveiled on May 30 in Iqaluit, Nunavut; May 31 in Winnipeg, Man.; and June 1 in Vancouver, B.C., where the program’s final two issues were launched.
For more information about each of the 10 stamps, visit canadapost.ca/canada150.