May 26, 2006 — The Gateway Arch — one of steel's most legendary design achievements — will be featured in the U.S. Postal Service stamp series, "Wonders of America: Land of Superlatives," beginning May 27.

Located in St. Louis, Mo., the steel arch is the tallest man-made monument in America, standing at 630 feet tall (63 stories). It is a result of a nationwide competition in 1947 to display a monument that captured the spirit of western pioneers. Architect Eero Saarinen's proposal of the 630-foot stainless steel arch won the contest, and his design later became the world renowned Gateway Arch.

The Gateway Arch took two years and less than $15 million to construct. Completed on October 18, 1965, the strong steel structure lays 60 feet into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds with a strength and resilience mirroring the American spirit.*

AISI partnered with the late Charles Guggenheim, a four-time Oscar winning documentary director, in the award-winning film, "Monument to the Dream," produced by Guggenheim Productions. The film, which documents the construction of the steel arch, is viewed by millions of visitors to the Gateway Arch each year. The monument's representation of strength is symbolic of the steel industry, its steelworkers and America.

* Facts regarding the history and construction of The Gateway Arch are from the National Park Service.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 33 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.