The Blizzard of 1888 and Blizzard Mail
On March 12, 1888, a short-lived blizzard mail service delivered letters to New York City during one of the worst storms in history.
Mail Delivery
Global Forever Series
On January 28, 2013, the USPS issued the first stamp in its Global Forever Series. These stamps were created to simplify sending international mail.
America’s First Automated Post Office
On October 20, 1960, America’s first automated post office opened in Providence, Rhode Island. Issued that same day, this stamp was so popular it inspired the Post Office to continue producing stamps with postal themes.
First Official U.S. Airmail Flight
On September 23, 1911, Earle Ovington made America’s first airmail delivery between Garden City and Mineola, New York. Staged as part of the International Aviation Meet, he flew more than 43,000 letters over the course of a week.
First US Airmail by Balloon
On August 17, 1859, the first airmail in the United States was carried by balloon in Indiana, from Lafayette to Crawfordsville. Of the 123 letters sent by balloon mail, only about 23 are known to still exist.
Graf Zeppelin Begins Round-The-World Journey From New Jersey
On August 8, 1929, the Graf Zeppelin departed the airfield in Lakehurst, New Jersey, to return 21 days later. The popularity of this trip created “Zeppelin Mania” and inspired several later flights.
Owney the Postal Dog
On June 11, 1897, the US Railway Mail Service mascot, Owney the Postal Dog, died in Toledo, Ohio. He rode the rails with the mail for nearly 10 years and even took steamships to Europe and Asia, earning international fame!
Graf Zeppelins Issued
On April 19, 1930, three special airmail stamps, the Graf Zeppelins, were made available for sale to be used exclusively on mail carried via the Graf Zeppelin on its European-Pan American flights the following month.
Special Handling Stamps
On April 11, 1925, the US Post Office issued its first Special Handling stamp, #QE4. Special Handling stamps enabled fourth-class mail to be delivered at the speed of first-class mail, which was especially important since many parcels contained live animals such as young alligators or baby chicks!