Before Frederick Douglass advocated for the freedom of African Americans, there was Prince Hall. Before the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph advocated for civil rights of black people, there was Prince Hall. Before Thurgood Marshall of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the NAACP Defense Fund worked tirelessly to put an end to the "separate but equal" doctrine, there was Prince Hall.
Prince Hall led a lifelong campaign for the abolition of slavery during the revolutionary war and championed civil rights in other areas. He aggressively petitioned for the provision of free schools for blacks, state funding for the emigration to Africa and restrictions on slave trading and kidnapping in Massachusetts.
In 1776 Prince Hall founded and organized African Lodge of the Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in Boston, Massachusetts. It was the world's first lodge of Black Freemasons and the first society in American history truly devoted to social, political and economic improvements. In honor of his many humanitarian contributions, the Masonic Order that he founded was named after him.
Today, over five thousand Lodges and forty seven Grand Lodges trace their history, lineage and name to the originally chartered Prince Hall Lodge, African Lodge #459. Today these African-American Masonic groups remain dedicated to improving and aiding their community, society and mankind as a whole.
We appreciate the United States Postal Service's efforts to recognize diverse individuals who contributed to the history and the success of our country. We believe that Prince Hall is a shining example of not only African American, but many men in general who contributed to the early history of the United States of America. Additionally, we believe that it would be more than fitting to recognize his contributions and sacrifices today, as they were not recognized in his own lifetime, with a stamp honoring him.
Updates
April 16, 2016
The petition reached one thousand signatures this morning. I am now finalizing the formal request to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for their consideration.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 14, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2016
636 Comments
I can think of few men or women in history who contributed to the advancement of freedom for all Blacks, that the might be Freeborn, equal to their white brothers and sisters in every way! Prince Hall was a true statesman and a critical contributor to Freedom, Democracy, and the tenets of the American Constitution long before it was written!
Prince Hall is more than a shining example for just the African American but also for the United States as a whole. This honor is overdue and would be more than fitting for his lifetime contributions.
I am sending this to all PHA Brothers I know, it is about time he was honored. Prince Hall led efforts on many fronts, but notably was the education of ALL children, regardless of race or ethnicity.
This man and Mason is just as important to American history as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. It is time we honored this Brother and his achievements in crossing racial boundaries. Wor. Rob McGIll, PM John D. Spreckels Lodge # 657 Grand Lodge of California
this honor is long overdue Prince Hall is one of the unsung heroes of the American Revolutionary War and I fully endorse this stamp in his honor
There is a large and healthy Masonic Order in the United States and Prince Hall was instrumental in founding this organization.
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Before Frederick Douglass advocated for the freedom of African Americans, there was Prince Hall. Before the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph advocated for civil rights of black people, there was Prince Hall. Before Thurgood Marshall of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the NAACP Defense Fund worked tirelessly to put an end to the "separate but equal" doctrine, there was Prince Hall.
Prince Hall led a lifelong campaign for the abolition of slavery during the revolutionary war and championed civil rights in other areas. He aggressively petitioned for the provision of free schools for blacks, state funding for the emigration to Africa and restrictions on slave trading and kidnapping in Massachusetts.
In 1776 Prince Hall founded and organized African Lodge of the Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in Boston, Massachusetts. It was the world's first lodge of Black Freemasons and the first society in American history truly devoted to social, political and economic improvements. In honor of his many humanitarian contributions, the Masonic Order that he founded was named after him.
Today, over five thousand Lodges and forty seven Grand Lodges trace their history, lineage and name to the originally chartered Prince Hall Lodge, African Lodge #459. Today these African-American Masonic groups remain dedicated to improving and aiding their community, society and mankind as a whole.
We appreciate the United States Postal Service's efforts to recognize diverse individuals who contributed to the history and the success of our country. We believe that Prince Hall is a shining example of not only African American, but many men in general who contributed to the early history of the United States of America. Additionally, we believe that it would be more than fitting to recognize his contributions and sacrifices today, as they were not recognized in his own lifetime, with a stamp honoring him.
Updates
April 16, 2016
The petition reached one thousand signatures this morning. I am now finalizing the formal request to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for their consideration.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 14, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2016
636 Comments
I totally concur. This postage is needed. As a Prince Hall Mason, I can attest to the fact that we have done much and continuing to do great things in our community. This recognition is well overdue!
I can think of few men or women in history who contributed to the advancement of freedom for all Blacks, that the might be Freeborn, equal to their white brothers and sisters in every way! Prince Hall was a true statesman and a critical contributor to Freedom, Democracy, and the tenets of the American Constitution long before it was written!
Prince Hall is more than a shining example for just the African American but also for the United States as a whole. This honor is overdue and would be more than fitting for his lifetime contributions.
I am sending this to all PHA Brothers I know, it is about time he was honored. Prince Hall led efforts on many fronts, but notably was the education of ALL children, regardless of race or ethnicity.
This man and Mason is just as important to American history as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. It is time we honored this Brother and his achievements in crossing racial boundaries. Wor. Rob McGIll, PM John D. Spreckels Lodge # 657 Grand Lodge of California
this honor is long overdue Prince Hall is one of the unsung heroes of the American Revolutionary War and I fully endorse this stamp in his honor
There is a large and healthy Masonic Order in the United States and Prince Hall was instrumental in founding this organization.
I am proud to sign this Petition
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I totally concur. This postage is needed. As a Prince Hall Mason, I can attest to the fact that we have done much and continuing to do great things in our community. This recognition is well overdue!