The Roanoke Colony, also known as the Lost Colony, was the first English colony in North America that disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The colony was founded on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina in 1585 by Sir Walter Raleigh. The first group of colonists, numbering about 120, was led by Ralph Lane. Lane's group returned to England in 1586, and a second group of colonists, led by John White, arrived in 1587. White returned to England for supplies in 1590, and when he returned to Roanoke Island in 1591, the colony had vanished.
The disappearance of the Roanoke Colony has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some believe that the colonists were killed by Native Americans, while others believe they returned to England or moved inland. The mystery of the Lost Colony has been depicted in literature, film, and television.
In 1987, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp marking the 400th anniversary of the Roanoke Colony. The stamp featured a map of Roanoke Island and a depiction of the colonists.
