This 6-cent stamp commemorates the sesquicentennial of Illinois becoming the 21st state on December 3, 1818. The design, by George Barford, captures the agricultural heart of the "Prairie State." While not depicting Chicago directly, the stamp's issuance acknowledged the importance of the entire state, whose growth was significantly influenced by the metropolis. The choice of Shawneetown for the first day of issue was historically significant, as it was a major gateway for early settlers into the Illinois Territory. The stamp's imagery of a peaceful farmstead reflects the state's rich agricultural heritage and its role as a key provider of food for the nation.