Parcel Post Service Begins
On January 1, 1913, the US Post Office Department initiated its Parcel Post Service for fourth-class mail. The stamps were short-lived but have long been praised for their detail and fine engraving.
Mail Delivery
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First Overland Mail Delivery
On October 10, 1858, the first shipment of overland mail arrived in San Francisco. It completed its journey in 23 days, a vast improvement over previous services.
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Creation of the Universal Postal Union
On October 9, 1874, some 22 nations met in Bern, Switzerland to form the General Postal Union (later renamed the Universal Postal Union or UPU). The UPU standardized mail service between countries and is one of the world’s oldest international organizations.
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Series of 1922-25
On October 4, 1922, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in Series of 1922-25. This would be the last stamp series printed by the flat plate press.
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Start of Rural Free Delivery
On October 1, 1896, Rural Free Delivery was introduced in a handful of West Virginia towns. Rural free delivery made the mail faster, more convenient, and more valuable, bringing our nation together like never before.
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First U.S. Grilled Stamp
August 13, 1867, marks the earliest known use of the first stamp produced with a grill, US #79. Grills were added to stamps to prevent their reuse.
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First U.S. Express Mail Stamp
On August 12, 1983, the USPS issued its first Express mail stamp, though the service, and those like it, had been available for several years.
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First US Semipostal
On July 29, 1998, the USPS issued its first Semipostal stamp to fund breast cancer research. The stamp raised over $78 million and was the first of several US Semipostals to raise money for worthy causes.
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Ben Franklin Appointed America’s First Postmaster General
On July 26, 1775, former deputy postmaster general of the American colonies, Ben Franklin, was made the first postmaster general of the United States. He revolutionized mail service in the young nation at a crucial time in our history.
