Israel Independence Day 55 Years Stamp

The April 2003 Festival stamp celebrates the 55th anniversary of Israel’s Independence with a drawing of the number Fifty-Five made up of multicoloured fragments representing the ethnic/cultural mosaic of the State. Draped over the upper part of the stamp is the white-blue national flag with the Star of David in the centre. Independence Day is preceded each year by Remembrance Day for those who have fallen in Israel’s defence. The day is celebrated each year on May 14th to commemorate the giving of the Declaration of Independence at the establishment of the Sate of Israel in 1948. In the evening of Independence Day a delegate of the Jewish Parliament ushers in the festival on Mt. Herzl, Jerusalem by lighting a torch which in turn kindles twelve torches (representing the 12 tribes). Each year different torchbearers are chosen for outstanding contribution in some particular field during the nation’s modern history. The ceremony concludes with a gun salute according to the number of the years of independence. The stamp with an information sheet are enclosed in a plastic protection sheet