Following the World War II Bosnia - Herzegovina became a republic in Yugoslavia. In 1992 the republic declared its independence; the Serb population objected and there was conflict between the Orthodox Serbs, the Catholic Croats and the Muslims. In 1995 a loose government was formed to included the Federation of Bosnia - Herzegovina, Croat and Muslim, and the Serb Republic of Srpska.
     The stamp was issued in 2002 by the Republic of Srpska to mark the 10th anniversary of its existence. The dark maroon color identifies the Republic, while the lighter color defines the Federation.