Free City Mail Delivery
On July 1, 1863, the US Post Office inaugurated its free City Mail Delivery Service in part in response to the Civil War.
Mail Delivery
Start of V-Mail Service
On June 15, 1942, the Post Office Department inaugurated its V-Mail service. During World War II, letters bound for service personnel were photographed and transferred to microfilm. This special process enabled letters to take up a fraction of their usual space on planes going to war zones, allowing more room for crucial supplies.
First Commissioned Female Airmail Pilot
On May 23, 1918, Katherine Stinson became the first woman hired by the post office to deliver airmail in the US.
Charles Lindbergh, Airmail Pilot
On April 15, 1926, Charles Lindbergh made his first airmail flight.
Transcontinental Airmail
On February 22, 1921, overnight transcontinental airmail service in the US began with flights between San Francisco and New York.
Parents Mail Their Daughter
On February 19, 1914, parents in Idaho took advantage of the affordable Parcel Post rate to mail their daughter to her grandmother’s house.
Global Forever Series
On January 28, 2013, the USPS issued the first stamp in its Global Forever Series. These stamps are used on international mail.
First Flown Letter in America
On January 9, 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard carried the first letter by hot air balloon in America.
Alaska’s Final Dog Sled Mail Route
On January 8, 1963, Chester Noongwook made his final trip delivering mail in Alaska via dog sled.