WASHINGTON – The Postal Service will mark the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 26. To celebrate the organization’s rich history of connecting people, communities, and businesses, the USPS will hold a series of special events this week, highlighting other activities, including licensed merchandise, digital media, a stamp contest, and special signage at Post Offices.
“On July 26th, we proudly observe the 250th Anniversary of the United States Postal Service and mark two and a half centuries of service to the American public,” said Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner.
“In 1775, our Founding Fathers recognized the importance of creating an institution that could bind the nation together and foster secure and accessible communications between every community in America. The rich and enduring history of the Postal Service demonstrates the strength of its wisdom, and we look forward to providing reliable, affordable, and universal service for generations to come.”
A brief history
On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as postmaster general of the United Colonies. The founders believed that a democratic form of government depended on the free exchange of news, ideas, and opinions, and a Colonial postal system was formed.
The ratification of the Constitution in 1788 gave Congress the power “to establish Post Offices and post roads.” At that time, 75 Post Offices served 4 million people. As the population grew, the postal system explored various methods of transportation to keep up with demand.
Initially, mail was carried by horseback and stagecoach, but the need for more efficient transportation was growing as the nation expanded. In 1808, mail was first transported by steamboat, and in 1832, railroads began moving mail. The first official U.S. Railway Post Office route was established in 1864. A variety of vehicles carried mail in the 1900s.
Demand for more accessible mail services led to the establishment of Free City Delivery through an act of Congress in 1863. Income from local postage would cover the cost of home delivery in many cities. For the first time, Americans were required to include their street addresses on their letters. With approximately 65 percent of the population living in rural communities, a growing push for equal services prompted the start of Rural Free Delivery in 1896.
In 1918, airmail services began with flights from New York to Washington, D.C. Many Army pilots had flown the mail before the Post Office Department hired its own pilots. Later, the mail was flown by contractors, establishing the groundwork for the commercial airline industry.
Mail delivery during times of war played a significant role in boosting the morale of soldiers. The postal network provides essential mail services to military members stationed around the world and support for specialized military postal units. The Postal Service is one of the largest employers of veterans, with nearly 70,000 veterans currently employed.
The Zoning Improvement Plan Code, or ZIP Code, was established in 1963. It enabled postal employees to sort mail efficiently using five-digit codes, paving the way for high-speed optical character recognition and automated sorting. Rising mail volumes prompted the introduction of ZIP+4, enabling automated equipment to sort mail to the correct carrier at delivery offices, making sortation even more efficient.
Today, the innovations continue, with a $40 billion investment in infrastructure, improved facilities, and new sorting equipment. Processing capabilities have expanded to 371 million mailpieces per day, retail branches have grown to 34,000 locations, and 649,000 USPS employees now service nearly 169 million addresses nationwide.
Melissa Chavez is the senior public relations representative for the United States Postal Service. Email:
[email protected]
