AMERICA UPAEP

The day when the discovery of America took place, October 12th 1492, is the date chosen by Spain and a large number of Hispanic American countries to celebrate their National Day. Throughout the XX Century this emblematic event has been commemorated as the Fiesta de la Raza (Festivity of the Race) and Fiesta de la Hispanidad (Festivity of Hispanicity) symbolising the union of the American and Spanish people. In 18/1987 law it was officially denominated as Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day). In the preliminary recitals of this law it is stated that the commemoration of this day “aims at the solemn remembrance of events in the collective memory that are part of the historic, cultural and social common heritage, assumed by most citizens. October 12th symbolises this historic event in which Spain begins a period of linguistic and cultural outreach beyond the European borders”. The UPAEP (Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal) with headquarters in Montevideo, aims at developing and modernising postal services, providing the development and exchange of expertise and the implementation of cooperation projects between member countries. In 1989 the countries within the UPAEP began to issue the UPAEP series with a common theme to widespread culture, folklore, and ecology identifying each region. The first issue was devoted to “Pre-Columbian people and their customs” following on with “The natural environment met by the discoverers”, “IV Centenary of the discovery of America”. Throughout these 20 years, the UPAEP series has issued stamps on social themes such as “Aids campaign”, “Education”, “illiteracy” and “Environmental protection” amongst many others always related to integration and respect for individual rights and customs of every country. The stamp is illustrated with the red and yellow colours of the Spanish flag and the inscription 12 Octubre Fiesta Nacional de España and the UPAEP logo.