Amazon.com, Inc.

Stamp celebrates the goal with image of a paper crane

BOSTON, May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service issued its International Peace stamp today at the 2026 Boston World Exposition as part of the stamp show's international peace theme day.

The stamp features an origami crane — a symbol of global peace — against a bright blue sky.

"The peace crane has become a universal symbol. You don't need to speak Japanese to fold one. You don't need to share the same religion, nationality or history. You only need a piece of paper and the willingness to believe that small, intentional acts of care matter. The paper crane teaches us that transformation is possible," said Steve Monteith, USPS chief customer and marketing officer, who helped dedicate the stamp.

"A flat, ordinary piece of paper becomes something that appears ready to take flight. That is not just origami, it is a metaphor for what human beings can do when we choose creation over destruction, connection over division, and hope over despair. We hope the stamp's deeper message of transformation, hope and human connection will inspire you to share the International Peace stamp with the world," he said.

Joining Monteith for the dedication was Sue DiCicco, the founder of the Peace Crane Project and the artist who folded the crane used on the stamp. "A folded paper crane may be small enough to rest in a child's hand, but powerful enough to carry a message around the world. The USPS International Peace stamp honors the enduring importance of human connection and the unique role of the Postal Service in helping those messages travel," she said.

The origins of the crane as a symbol for peace began with Sadako Sasaki, who was 2 years old when she was exposed to the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. She was diagnosed with leukemia in February 1955 at age 12. While hospitalized, she began folding origami cranes (called "orizuru" in Japanese). Cranes are mythical creatures in Japanese folklore representing longevity because they were said to live for 1,000 years. The practice of senbazuru (folding 1,000 cranes) is believed to grant one wish to anyone who completes the task. Sadako folded cranes until her death on Oct. 25, 1955.

The cranes that Sadako folded are now on display around the world, including at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Over time, origami cranes have become a tangible form of praying for peace or a way to show support for people facing difficult times. The Children's Peace Monument, erected in 1958 in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, features a sculpture of a girl, modeled on Sadako, holding an origami crane above her head. Approximately 10 million cranes are left annually by visitors from around the world.

The Peace Crane Project began in 2012 and encourages students to make origami cranes and trade them with other students around the world. Millions of students in 154 countries have participated.

Sally Andersen-Bruce was selected to photograph the folded crane by Sue DiCicco after working with Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, on the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Lunar New Year stamps.

While the stamp may look like a simple design, Alcalá says it's more complicated than it seems. After Andersen-Bruce photographed the crane, he had to adjust the shadows to make the crane look as if it were in flight. He said arranging the text around the crane so it would appear in a natural position and fitting it on the small size of the stamp was a challenge. Alcalá says these stamps carry a message that is as relevant as ever. "One reason these stamps are important is that they enable people to send and receive a message of peace — a condition everyone hopes to live in."

The International Peace stamp is being issued in panes of 20. As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #InternationalPeaceStamp.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at stampsforever.com.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is celebrating its 250th year of service to customers amidst a network modernization plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

National contact: James McKean

jim.mckean@usps.gov

usps.com/news

Local contact: Judith Ferriera

judith.k.ferriera@usps.gov

usps.com/news

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-peace-stamp-issued-302783196.html

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

Audible Story House, a Listening Lounge and Community Hub, Will Be Open to the Public from May 1 to May 31 in New York City

Dozens of Events and Panels to Feature Luminaries such as Lily Chu, Matt James, Leon Neyfakh and More

NEW YORK, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Audible, the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, will open the doors on May 1 to Audible Story House, the first-ever bookless bookstore — a listening lounge and community hub where audio storytelling comes to life, offering a physical way to experience audio content beyond digital listening. Throughout May, guests can browse audio using physical 'Story Tiles', enjoy six distinct listening spaces across three floors, and experience premium amenities and activities such as immersive installations with Dolby Atmos^® sound, live programming from creator panels to fan meetups to hands-on crafting activities and intimate live music concerts, a café, and more.

Free and open to the public (details below), the over 6,000 square-foot space will include a browsing area featuring over 300 audio stories across popular genres like romance, true crime, action & adventure, wellbeing, and more, which guests can browse using physical 'Story Tiles' — tactile representations of audiobooks, just like browsing in a bookstore. Story Tiles can then be taken to listening stations for out-loud playback or tapped on a smartphone to stream directly through the Audible app, with the full catalog accessible digitally. Audible Story House will feature six distinct listening spaces, from quick sampling stations with Sony high-performance headphones, to the 'Dolby Atmos Lounge', a dark, immersive listening environment designed to showcase award-winning Audible Originals and exclusives brought to life with Dolby Atmos sound. 'The Gallery' offers a convening space for panels and other programming, featuring high-fidelity speakers by Silence Please, designed to naturalize the human voice for an optimal sound experience. 'Story Tenders' at the 'Listening Bar' will guide attendees in finding the perfect audiobook for their tastes and interest, enabling human-led curation and discovery.

The space will also include a studio highlighting Audible's new immersion reading feature, which allows customers with the audiobook and Kindle eBook versions of a title to pair synchronized on-screen text with audiobook narration, to deepen engagement with books. Audible Story House will also feature a café from the Brooklyn-based Land to Sea, providing an anchor social space for people to gather and connect around the stories they love.

"We developed Audible Story House by asking a simple question: what does a bookstore look like without any books? The answer became a place where audio storytelling comes alive, and where people connect, celebrate what they love, and find communities that matter to them," said James Finn, Audible's Global Head of Brand & Content Marketing. "We're giving customers a new way to experience Audible, in a place built for the way listening moves people today."

Audible Story House arrives at a cultural inflection point where audio storytelling remains the fastest-growing format in publishing, with passionate fan culture around books and audiobooks at an all-time high. At the same time, younger audiences are driving a broader shift toward offline experiences and real-world connection, seeking tactile, emotional experiences that demand one's full attention amidst digital overload. Audible Story House taps into the nostalgia and community feel of book culture while bringing it fully into the present — reimagining the bookstore as an innovative destination for the next frontier of storytelling.

Throughout the month, Audible Story House will also host dozens of live events and programming, inviting audiences to actively engage and contribute to the experience. Panel discussions will highlight established and independent authors and beloved narrators alike, including conversations on topics like the wildly popular romance genre (featuring Lily Chu, acclaimed author of Just Kiss Already and Rich Girl Summer, BookTok creator Marianna Moore, among others) and true crime investigative journalism (featuring podcast luminaries like Laura Beil of Dr Death, Leon Neyfakh of OnlyFantasy, and Dan Taberski of Manifesto). Audible Story House will also host popular content creators in the book community, who will take part in events and curate a collection of recommended audiobooks in the browsing area — including former Bachelor lead Matt James, podcaster and author Brooke Averick, Lit Club NYC's Kelly Chavin, and content creators Marianna Moore, Kimberly Bizu, and Josh Lora. For example, Matt James will host a 'run and listen' experience to bring attendees on a community run combining movement and listening, and a literary fiction panel will feature author Mary HK Choi (of Emergency Contact, Pool House, and more), Kimberly Bizu and Josh Lora, hosted by Lit Club NYC.

Audible Story House will also host a Harry Potter-themed fan trivia event, a teacher appreciation event in collaboration with Teach for America, Crayola, and Reading Rhythms, and creator meetups, crafting workshops with art café Happy Medium, live music shows with Sofar Sounds, and more — all designed to create a third space that celebrates community, connection and shared listening.

Audible Story House Details

Location: 260 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Dates: May 1 — May 31

Opening Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 11:00 AM — 7:00 PM

About Audible

Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible's catalog includes more than 1,000,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.

Media Contact:

Patricia Rappaport, Civic Entertainment Group: patricia.rappaport@civic-us.com

Hannah Dithrich, Audible Corporate Communications: hadithri@audible.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audible-opens-doors-to-first-ever-bookless-bookstore-302758939.html

SOURCE Audible