Burning of Library of Algiers - 8 fils
On June 7, 1962, during the closing weeks of the Algerian War of Independence, members of the French far-right paramilitary group Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS) deliberately set fire to the Main Library of the University of Algiers (المكتبة الجامعية بالجزائر). The fire destroyed over 500,000 valuable books, rare historical manuscripts, and archival documents, striking a devastating blow to Algeria’s cultural and intellectual heritage on the eve of its official independence.
To mark the third anniversary of the tragedy and support the reconstruction of the institution, Arab Postal Union member states coordinated a joint commemorative issue. As part of this initiative, Kuwait’s postal administration issued a dedicated stamp set on June 7, 1965. Depicting the university library engulfed in flames alongside an oil lamp carrying the Algerian flag, the stamp symbolized cultural resilience, knowledge, and Arab solidarity in helping rebuild Algeria's destroyed literary heritage.
To mark the third anniversary of the tragedy and support the reconstruction of the institution, Arab Postal Union member states coordinated a joint commemorative issue. As part of this initiative, Kuwait’s postal administration issued a dedicated stamp set on June 7, 1965. Depicting the university library engulfed in flames alongside an oil lamp carrying the Algerian flag, the stamp symbolized cultural resilience, knowledge, and Arab solidarity in helping rebuild Algeria's destroyed literary heritage.