Title of stamps: Ottawa: 1857-2007
Issue date: May 3, 2007

A capital place

Today Ottawa is Canada’s fourth largest city, but when it was chosen to be Canada’s capital in 1857, it was little more that a small, rough lumber town in the middle of nowhere.

On May 3, 2007, Canada Post issued a domestic rate (52¢) stamp and a special souvenir sheet, which comprises the domestic rate stamp and an international rate ($1.55) stamp, to celebrate Ottawa’s 150^th birthday as our great nation’s capital. The stamps feature two images to create a sense of Ottawa “then” and “now”. A modern photograph of the Parliament Buildings shows Ottawa as it is today, with an image of a lumberers’ regatta showing how Ottawa would have looked 150 years ago.

Ottawa officially became the capital of the province of Canada on December 31, 1857. Ten years later, in 1867, it became the capital of what was then the Dominion of Canada.

If you live in Ottawa, or have ever visited it, you know that there are many wonderful things to see and do in the area. You can check out the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization—located just across the Ottawa River in the province of Quebec. Another major attraction is the historic Rideau Canal, which turns into the world’s longest skating rink in wintertime!