Computer Vended Postage Stamps
On August 20, 1992, Computer Vended Postage stamps were first made available for sale in five test cities.
Mail Delivery
U.S. #523 Color Error
US #523, the 1918 $2 orange-red Franklin error stamp, was first used on or around August 19, 1918. However, it would be two years before the error was discovered.
The Virginia City Pony Express
On August 11, 1862, Wells Fargo inaugurated its Virginia City Pony Express, which carried mail between Nevada mining towns and California business centers.
U.S. Issues Stamps in Guam
On July 7, 1899, the US issued its first overprinted stamps for use in Guam. The stamps were rushed into use after the US acquired Guam from Spain following the Spanish-American War.
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. By the end of the first year, 65 cities offered the service and employed 685 mail carriers.
Webster’s Stamp Proposal
On June 10, 1840, Senator Daniel Webster submitted a resolution to the US Congress recommending that the US issue stamps. He was inspired by the success of Britain’s recently issued Penny Black, and proposed the US follow their example.
First USPS ATM Stamp
On May 18, 1990, the USPS issued an experimental plastic stamp to test the popularity of selling stamps through Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). While the plastic stamp proved unpopular, especially with environmentalists, the ATM format proved to be a success.
The Military Postal Express Service
On May 9, 1918, the US War Department created the Military Postal Express Service (MPES) to handle military mail in Europe during World War I. It was the first postal system in the world to be created by an Army.
Postmaster Lincoln
On May 7, 1833, future President Abraham Lincoln took a job as postmaster for New Salem, Illinois. Holding that position for three years, he was well-liked and respected for his commitment to his postal customers.