United Kingdom commemorative stamps 1980

The United Kingdom, also known as Great Britain to stamp collectors, released many special stamps in the 1980s. These are called commemorative stamps, which are postage stamps made to celebrate a special place, event, or person.

The Story of British Stamps
Special Stamps from the 1980s
More British Stamps
See also

The Story of British Stamps

The very first postage stamps in the world were released in the United Kingdom on May 6, 1840. This was the famous Penny Black, the first sticky stamp ever! For a long time, until 1924, British stamps only showed a picture of the king or queen at the time. There was one exception in 1913: some "high value" stamps, known as the "Sea Horses" design, were bigger and had more pictures.

In 1924, the UK made its first ever special "commemorative" stamp for the British Empire Exhibition. After that, special stamps came out now and then for about 30 years. But from the mid-1960s, the UK started releasing many more commemorative stamps, usually six to nine sets every year. Since the mid-1970s, special PHQ cards (which are like postcards with the stamp design) have also been made for each new set of stamps.

Special Stamps from the 1980s

The 1980s were a busy time for new stamps in the UK! Each year, many different sets were released, celebrating all sorts of things, from nature to history and famous people.

1980: A New Decade of Stamps

In 1980, the UK released stamps for many interesting topics:

January 16: Celebrating 100 years of the Wild Bird Protection Act. (Four stamps)
March 12: Marking 150 years of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. (Five stamps)
April 9 & May 7: For the "London 1980" International Stamp Exhibition. (One stamp and a special miniature sheet)
May 7: Featuring famous London Landmarks. (Five stamps)
July 9: Honoring Famous Authoresses. (Four stamps)
August 4: For the 80th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. (One stamp)
September 10: Celebrating British Conductors. (Four stamps)
October 10: Marking Sport Centenaries. (Four stamps)
November 19: A Christmas stamp set. (Five stamps)

1981: Folklore, Butterflies, and a Royal Wedding

1981 brought stamps about:

February 6: Folklore stories. (Four stamps)
March 25: The International Year of the Disabled. (Four stamps)
May 13: Beautiful Butterflies. (Four stamps)
June 24: 50 years of the National Trust for Scotland. (Five stamps)
July 22: The exciting Royal Wedding. (Two stamps)
August 12: 25 years of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. (Four stamps)
September 23: The Fishing Industry. (Four stamps)
November 18: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1982: Darwin, Theatre, and Cars

In 1982, stamps celebrated:

February 10: 100 years since the death of Charles Darwin. (Four stamps)
March 24: Youth Organisations. (Four stamps)
April 28: Europa – British Theatre. (Four stamps)
June 16: Maritime Heritage (about ships and the sea). (Five stamps)
July 23: British Textiles (fabrics). (Four stamps)
September 8: Information Technology. (Two stamps)
October 13: British Motor Cars. (Four stamps)
November 17: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1983: Fish, Gardens, and Fairs

1983's stamps included:

January 26: British River Fishes. (Four stamps)
March 9: Commonwealth Day, showing Geographical Regions. (Four stamps)
May 25: Europa – Engineering Achievements. (Three stamps)
July 6: British Army Uniforms. (Five stamps)
August 24: British Gardens. (Four stamps)
October 5: British Fairs. (Four stamps)
November 16: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1984: History, Animals, and Mail

Stamps from 1984 featured:

January 17: 500 years of the College of Arms. (Four stamps)
March 6: British Cattle. (Five stamps)
April 10: Urban Renewal (making cities better). (Four stamps)
May 15: 25 years of C.E.P.T. ('Europa') and European Parliament elections. (Four stamps)
June 5: The London Economic Summit Conference. (One stamp)
June 26: 100 years of the Greenwich Meridian. (Four stamps)
July 31: 200 years since the first Mail Coach Run. (Five stamps)
September 25: 50 years of the British Council. (Four stamps)
November 20: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1985: Trains, Insects, and Films

In 1985, stamps celebrated:

January 22: Famous Trains. (Five stamps)
March 12: Insects. (Five stamps)
May 14: Europa, European Music Year, British Composers. (Four stamps)
June 18: Safety at Sea. (Four stamps)
July 30: 350 years of Royal Mail Public Postal Service. (Four stamps)
September 3: Arthurian Legends. (Four stamps)
October 8: British Film Year, featuring stars like Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Charlie Chaplin, Vivien Leigh, Peter Sellers, and David Niven. (Five stamps)
November 19: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1986: Halley's Comet and Royal Events

1986's stamps included:

January 14: Industry Year. (Four stamps)
February 18: The appearance of Halley's Comet. (Four stamps)
April 21: The 60th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. (Four stamps)
May 20: Europa, Nature Conservation-Endangered Species. (Four stamps)
June 17: 900 years of the Domesday Book. (Four stamps)
July 15: The 13th Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and the World Hockey Cup for Men in London. (Five stamps)
July 22: Another Royal Wedding. (Two stamps)
August 19: The 32nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference. (One stamp)
September 16: The History of the Royal Air Force. (Five stamps)
November 18 & December 2: Christmas stamps. (Six stamps in total)

1987: Science, Architecture, and Queen Victoria

Stamps from 1987 featured:

January 20: Flower Photographs by Alfred Lammer. (Four stamps)
March 24: 300 years of "The Principia Mathematica" by Sir Isaac Newton. (Four stamps)
May 12: Europa, British Architects in Europe. (Four stamps)
June 16: 100 years of St. John Ambulance Brigade. (Four stamps)
July 21: 300 years of the Order of the Thistle. (Four stamps)
September 8: 150 years since Queen Victoria's Accession to the throne. (Four stamps)
October 13: Studio Pottery. (Four stamps)
November 17: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1988: Anniversaries and the Spanish Armada

1988's stamps included:

January 19: 200 years of the Linnean Society. (Four stamps)
March 1: 400 years of the Welsh Bible. (Four stamps)
March 22: Sports Organisations. (Four stamps)
May 10: Europa, Transport & Mail Services in the 1930s. (Four stamps)
June 21: 200 years of Australian Settlement (a special stamp set with Australia Post). (Four stamps)
July 19: 400 years of the Spanish Armada. (Five stamps)
September 6 & 27: 100 years since the death of Edward Lear. (Four stamps and a miniature sheet)
October 18: New 'Castle' High Value Definitives. (Four stamps)
November 15: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

1989: Birds, Food, and Games

To end the decade, 1989's stamps celebrated:

January 17: 100 years of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. (Four stamps)
January 31: Greetings Stamps. (Five stamps)
March 7: Food and Farming Year. (Four stamps)
April 11: Various Anniversaries. (Four stamps)
May 16: Europa, Toys and games. (Four stamps)
July 4 & 25: Industrial Archaeology. (Four stamps and a miniature sheet)
September 5: 150 years of the Royal Microscopical Society. (Four stamps)
October 17: The Lord Mayor's Show in London. (Five stamps)
November 14: Christmas stamps. (Five stamps)

United Kingdom commemorative stamps 1980–1989 facts for kids

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