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USPS Honors President Jimmy Carter with Forever Stamp on What Would Have Been His 101st Birthday
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a Forever stamp honoring President Jimmy Carter on what would have been his 101st birthday. The tribute reflects his life of service, humility, and impact, particularly through The Carter Center, which he co-founded for humanitarian efforts after his presidency.
Last Updated on October 20, 2025 by Daily News Staff
In a touching tribute to one of America’s most beloved statesmen, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a commemorative Forever stamp honoring President Jimmy Carter on October 1, 2025 — the day that would have marked his 101st birthday. The dedication ceremony took place at The Carter Center in Atlanta, where family, officials, and admirers gathered to celebrate a life defined by service, humility, and unwavering dedication to humanity.
From Plains to the Presidency: A Journey of Humble Beginnings
“Born in 1924 in Plains, Georgia — a town of just 600 people — Jimmy Carter’s story is one of humble beginnings leading to a lifetime of extraordinary service,” said Thomas J. Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president of the U.S. Postal Service during the ceremony.
It’s a quintessentially American story: a small-town boy who would grow up to lead the nation and then spend decades afterward making the world a better place. Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, but as Marshall noted, “perhaps the most remarkable chapter began after he left the White House.”
A Post-Presidency Like No Other
Rather than settling into a quiet retirement, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter embarked on what many historians consider the most consequential post-presidency in American history. In 1982, they partnered with Emory University to establish The Carter Center, an organization that has spent more than four decades advancing democracy, resolving conflicts, and improving health outcomes in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Jason Carter, chair of The Carter Center and the former president’s grandson, shared his family’s gratitude: “Our family is excited to attend the first-day-of-issue ceremony to celebrate the life and legacy of my grandfather, President Jimmy Carter. My grandparents would be touched by this incredible honor.”
The Postal Service’s Role in Shaping a Legacy
In a poignant connection, Beth Davis, The Carter Center’s chief operating officer, revealed how the U.S. Postal Service played a surprisingly central role in shaping Carter’s worldview and mission.
“Postcards from his uncle inspired a young Jimmy Carter to join the Navy and explore the world outside of rural Georgia,” Davis explained. “Missives from his mother during her time in India with the Peace Corps after she retired from nursing set the example for him that a life of purpose doesn’t end in your 50s when one career path concludes.”
Those letters and postcards — simple pieces of mail that traveled thousands of miles — planted seeds that would eventually grow into The Carter Center’s global humanitarian mission.
A Presidency Marked by Progress and Principle
Carter’s presidency was defined by themes of humility, reconciliation, and progressive change. Inaugurated on January 20, 1977, he brought a fresh perspective to Washington as an outsider representing a new generation of Southern politicians.
His accomplishments during his single term were significant:
- Appointed unprecedented numbers of women and minorities to government positions
- Created a presidential commission on mental health
- Established new cabinet departments
- Dramatically expanded the National Park System and federally designated wilderness areas
- Ushered through deregulation in energy and air travel industries
- Personally negotiated the Camp David Accords, creating a framework for Middle East peace
- Signed SALT II to limit strategic nuclear arms with the Soviet Union
- Established formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China
The Nobel Laureate Who Never Stopped Serving
In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his decades of work promoting peace, human rights, and social and economic progress worldwide. The award cemented his reputation as one of the most active and admired former presidents in American history.
Through The Carter Center, he tackled some of humanity’s most pressing challenges — from eradicating Guinea worm disease to monitoring elections in emerging democracies to building homes with Habitat for Humanity well into his 90s.
The Stamp: Art Meets History
The Forever stamp features a 1982 oil-on-linen painting created by artist Herbert E. Abrams (1921-2003) as a life study in preparation for Carter’s official White House portrait. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS.
As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price — a fitting metaphor for Carter’s enduring legacy.
How to Get Your Jimmy Carter Stamp
The commemorative stamp is now available for purchase through multiple channels:
- Online at usps.com/shopstamps
- By phone at 844-737-7826
- By mail through USA Philatelic
- At Post Office locations nationwide
- Through the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon
Collectors and admirers can follow updates using the hashtag #JimmyCarterStamp on social media.
A Legacy Written in Service
The issuance of this stamp is more than a commemorative gesture — it’s a reminder that true leadership doesn’t end when you leave office. Jimmy Carter showed us that the most important work often begins when the spotlight fades, and that a life of purpose knows no retirement age.
From a small town in Georgia to the White House to villages across the globe, President Carter’s journey reminds us that one person, armed with compassion and conviction, can change the world.
The Forever stamp ensures that his image — and his example — will continue to travel across America, carrying messages of hope, connection, and possibility, just as those postcards once did for a young boy in Plains, Georgia.
For more information about the stamp and The Carter Center’s ongoing work, visit StampsForever.com and CarterCenter.org.
SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
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Golden Bird in Compton: When Mom Took a Night Off
Golden Bird in Compton was an occasional Friday or Saturday treat when Mom wanted a break from cooking. A personal look back at its Alondra Boulevard location and the memories that linger.
Some childhood meals stay with you for decades. For me, Golden Bird fried chicken in Compton is one of them.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, an occasional Friday or Saturday meant my mom wanted a break from cooking. Those were the nights when takeout became a treat, and Golden Bird was one of the places I remember enjoying most.
The location on East Alondra Boulevard sounds like the one we visited. Researching it brought me to 2600 East Alondra Boulevard, Compton—an address listed in Los Angeles County records under Golden Bird #1.
An address can help place a memory on a map. But what I remember most is much simpler: the chicken was delicious, and getting it was a welcome weekend treat.
Part of Our Family’s Takeout Rotation
Golden Bird wasn’t our only chicken stop. Over the years, there was Pioneer, KFC, Church’s, Louisiana Fried Chicken, and later Popeyes. I also remember Jim Dandy from when I was very young, especially its crinkle-cut fries.
Each name brings back a different memory. Golden Bird brings me back to Compton and those evenings when my mother could take some time off from preparing dinner.
As a kid, I thought about enjoying the food. Looking back, I also appreciate what those meals meant for her: one less dinner to cook and a chance to take a break.
The History Behind the Address
Golden Bird’s own history describes a family recipe associated with Zelma and a wet batter designed to give the chicken a crisp outside while keeping the meat moist. My own memory is simply that I loved eating it.
The Alondra Boulevard location also connects to another chapter in Southern California’s fried-chicken history. Vincent Williams opened a Compton Golden Bird franchise in 1983, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A later profile described Williams developing his Honey’s Kettle concept in his former Compton franchise location. Honey’s Kettle dates its beginnings on Alondra Boulevard to 2000, and a 2012 restaurant visit documented its original location at 2600 East Alondra Boulevard. Those accounts point to a connection between the two businesses at that address.
I haven’t established who operated the restaurant during every year my family visited. But learning about its history adds another layer to a place I remember through its food.
A Weekend Memory Worth Keeping
For me, Golden Bird’s place in the story starts with family. It was an occasional treat, a meal I enjoyed, and a Friday or Saturday when Mom could let someone else handle the cooking.
Decades later, that is still a good reason to remember a neighborhood restaurant.
Editor’s note: Golden Bird is still serving fried chicken in South Los Angeles at 8300 South Western Avenue, at West 83rd Street. For those of us who remember it as a weekend family treat, it’s good to know the Golden Bird name remains part of LA’s food scene. Order pickup and delivery
Did you eat at the Golden Bird on Alondra Boulevard—or another Golden Bird location? Share your memories and favorite orders in the comments.
Explore more food stories in STM Daily News’ Food & Drink section.
For generations, the Santa Monica Pier sign has marked the start of a day at the beach. Now, the familiar blue neon landmark is preparing for a journey of its own.
Santa Monica scheduled removal of the 1941 sign for October 20–22, with shipment to Las Vegas anticipated October 26. The timetable is subject to change, according to the city’s October 19 announcement.
The temporary removal accompanies replacement of the aging bridge connecting Ocean Avenue to the pier. It also creates an opportunity to preserve the historic sign.
YESCO will restore it at its Las Vegas facility. The company’s experience includes work on the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Crews will repair neon tubing, treat rust, repaint components and address structural needs while retaining historic features. The sign will remain in secure storage during bridge construction.
Once the project is finished, it will return above the new bridge at a slightly greater height for visibility and vehicle clearance. The city’s latest announcement targets project completion by 2028, ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.
Meanwhile, visitors can photograph a lighted, half-scale replica near Pier Burger.
For anyone who associates that glowing arch with Southern California memories, its absence will be noticeable. The restoration is intended to ensure future generations can make memories beneath it, too.
Source: City of Santa Monica — October 19, 2026 announcement
Related Links
- City of Santa Monica: Official sign restoration announcement — October 19, 2026. Primary source for removal dates, shipment to Las Vegas, YESCO’s restoration work and the sign’s planned return.
- Santa Monica Daily Press: Sign restoration during bridge rebuild — October 20, 2026. Additional local reporting on the project and visitor access.
- LAist: Sign removal and how to watch — Reporting on the removal schedule and public viewing opportunities.
Follow more Southern California stories at STM Daily News.
STM Blog | Commentary | October 14, 2026
The viral allegations involving Texas Roadhouse and the treatment of Black customers raised an understandably disturbing question: Could diners trust that they were being served safely and respectfully?
After reviewing available coverage again on October 14, STM Daily News did not locate new verified evidence establishing that the alleged food tampering occurred. We also did not locate a publicly released final report from the outside firm the company said it hired.
The central distinction remains unchanged: the allegations have not been substantiated in the reporting reviewed, while Texas Roadhouse says its investigation points to a hoax.
What the available reporting says
In August, social media posts alleged that restaurant workers deliberately tampered with food served to Black customers. The claims circulated widely and prompted calls for a boycott. Texas Roadhouse said it had not identified current or former employees connected to the accusations.
In reporting updated August 26, KTXS noted that the viral post did not identify a particular restaurant location and that there was no verified evidence connecting the claims to a Texas Roadhouse employee.
The company told the outlet it had found no credible evidence of food tampering. It also said the original Facebook post had been deleted, some users had retracted posts amplifying the claims, and an outside firm had been engaged to investigate the accusations’ source and motives. These details come from August coverage, rather than a new October announcement.
What remains unresolved publicly
Our latest review did not locate a final outside investigation report that readers could examine. We therefore cannot describe that investigation as complete or independently assess its findings.
The company’s description of the claims as a hoax should continue to be attributed to Texas Roadhouse. Likewise, the allegations should not be repeated as though they describe a confirmed incident.
Not locating a new public report does not establish whether investigative work has continued privately. It means the public information we found does not support a stronger conclusion.
Why careful wording still matters
For Black diners, allegations of racist mistreatment can strike a painful nerve. Everyone deserves to sit down for a meal without worrying that their race could make them a target.
Taking that concern seriously requires credible complaints to be investigated thoroughly. It also requires care before assigning blame to a restaurant, a location, or its workers.
Social media can spread a warning far beyond its original audience before anyone verifies the underlying claim. Once that happens, a correction or clarification may never reach everyone who saw the accusation.
That makes transparency essential. Restaurants should explain what they have investigated and what they can substantiate. Those sharing accusations should be equally willing to share corrections and acknowledge uncertainty.
For now, the responsible position is to keep the evidence and the allegations separate. If new, verifiable findings become public, they should be assessed on their merits.
Join the conversation: What do you look for before trusting a viral warning about a business? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep the conversation respectful.
Editor’s note: This is an October 14 status review of previously reported allegations. It does not announce a new investigative finding.
Sources
- KTXS: Viral post alleges Texas Roadhouse mistreated Black customers; company responds — Includes the company’s statement and explains the lack of verified evidence connecting the allegations to an employee or location.
- Houston Chronicle: Texas Roadhouse investigates Facebook hoax alleging racist food tampering — Covers the company’s denial and its decision to hire an outside investigative firm.
- MySA: Texas Roadhouse faces social media backlash over viral allegations — Details how the claims spread and the restaurant chain’s response.
Related reading
- Snopes: Posts claim Texas Roadhouse servers contaminated Black customers’ food — Examines the viral allegations.
- Restaurant Business: Texas Roadhouse says post alleging racist practices was a hoax — Restaurant industry coverage of the controversy.
- Texas Roadhouse official website — Company information and customer contact options.
