Benjamin Franklin began his tenure as postmaster general on July 26, 1775
On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted to create a postal system in the Colonies and selected Benjamin Franklin to lead it.
Postmark: The moon, or thereabouts
The Apollo 11 astronauts — Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins — brought a commemorative envelope on their pioneering lunar mission with the intent to postmark it on the…
The Highway Post Office illustrates our unending commitment to serving America
There are many examples of our innovation and commitment to meeting our mission, but I think one of our lesser-known successes — the Highway Post Office (HPO) — provides valuable…
The history of the nation and the founding of the postal system are linked
The day is meaningful for all Americans but has added significance for the Postal Service, whose history is inextricably linked with the nation’s fight for independence.
On this day in history, July 1, 1847, the US Post Office issues the first stamps
The first postage stamps produced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) were sold in New York City, according to the USPS website.
The patriotic way to post during WWII – V-Mail was launched June 15, 1942
V-Mail was launched on June 15, 1942, and ran through April 1, 1945. In that time, more than a billion letters were sent using the process.
THIS DAY IN POSTAL HISTORY – Owney The Postal Dog
On June 11, 1897, the US Railway Mail Service mascot, Owney the Postal Dog, died in Toledo, Ohio.
The missile mail experiment took place on June 8, 1959
The U.S. postal system has been an early adopter of newfangled — and even dangerous — modes of delivery: Airmail. Pneumatic tubes. The Pony Express.
A biography of an early postmaster general is now available
An article examining the life of Ebenezer Hazard, who served as postmaster general during the earliest days of the republic, was recently added to the postal history section on usps.com.
History reflects the Postal Service’s role as a transformative leader in American transportation.
History article from the Eagle Magazine