Saint Kitts and Nevis has been one of the countries united under the Universal Postal Union since 1988. The first own postage stamps, intended simultaneously for the territory of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, appeared during the colonial period - in 1903. These first stamps featured the theme of Columbus's discovery of the islands and included the colony's new name: St. KITTS - NEVIS ("Saint Kitts - Nevis").