Clergy were also employed to work there. Starting in 1825, all mail that was unlabeled, mislabeled, or insufficiently labeled in America was sent to a central Dead Letter Office in Washington, D.C. The history of the U.S. The U.S. The U.S. mail was the original enabler of trolls. Scrappy riders—“orphans preferred,” a help-wanted ad stated—ferried letters from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, galloping through the Great Plains, the Rockies, and the High Sierras. The first post office was in a bar. Here’s one sample: “Hey, Lover Boy, the place for you/Is home upon the shelf/‘Cause the only one who’d kiss you/Is a jackass like yourself!” Here are 11 shocking things your mail carrier knows about you. That said, there are a shocking number of truly interesting facts about the postal service that will make you view it in a totally different way. With all the news surrounding the USPS, it’s time to brush up on these facts about the history of the U.S. post office. A uniquely American history. When using your mobile device to view Postal Facts, you can easily save the site to your device’s home screen. 8. Postal Service is a rich one, dating back to Colonial America, when a bar served as the first “post office,” serving as the pick-up point for mail that arrived from overseas. The history of the U.S. These are 10 of the craziest things people have ever shipped. And consider this very important fact: everyone in the U.S. and its territories has access to postal products and services and pays the same for a First-Class Mail postage stamp regardless of location. The postal employees hired for this job needed to be honest—to prevent pilfering of all the mail they had access to—and because women were seen back then as being more honest than men, the staff overwhelmingly consisted of women. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. We’ll keep you posted. We take a look at some fun facts about the U.S. The Postal Service processes and delivers 472.1 million mail pieces each day. Postal system; Inspire your inbox – Sign up for daily fun facts about this day in history, updates, and special offers. Learn more, With Informed Delivery service, you can digitally preview your incoming mail and manage your packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. And what does the “ZIP” in ZIP Code mean anyway? This, at least, was one form of corruption that he could not take. In 2019 Postal Inspectors reported 5,759 arrests and 4,995 convictions related to postal crimes, primarily those involving mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings. Postal Inspector™, U.S. Subscribe. Like most occupations, postal clerks in 19th-century U.S. tended to be male—except at the Dead Letter Office. Even in the age of the internet, mail is an important communication tool for business and personal matters. Westcott II, … His annual salary was $1,000. Box up my baby, please. Postal Facts helps tell the Postal Service’s story and helps you better understand how the organization delivers for the nation. There's a special postmark for Supai's outgoing mail, so you'll know your mail was carried by mules. Did you know we have programs designed to help the communities we serve? In accepting the position, Franklin dedicated his efforts to fulfilling George Washington's vision. Postal employees regularly go beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of customers they serve, including older and disabled customers through the Carrier Alert Program. © 2016-2021 United States Postal Service. The Post Office Department was founded in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. Did you know we don’t use your tax dollars for our operations? You can find these answers and more at facts.usps.com. Next, check out 50 of the dumbest laws in every state. Everyone had to go to the post office to get mail—until the Civil War helped change one man’s mind. Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. 5. 6. For 55 cents, anyone can send a letter, regardless of geographic location, to anywhere in the United States. The Founding Fathers were all for a postal system, especially Franklin. The result: By the start of the 19th century, newspapers made up the bulk of the U.S. mail. Postage stamps—which were prepaid—were introduced in America in 1847 and eliminated this problem. His annual salary was $1,000. 9. The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp has raised more than $90 million for breast cancer research since 1998. The Express was in business for a year and a half, from April 3, 1860, to October 24, 1861. In accepting the position, Franklin dedicated his efforts to fulfilling George Washington's vision. It arrived safely at his destination. Endicia is a leading provider of internet-based postage services that make it easier and more affordable to ship parcels through the U.S. It triggered a necessary look at postal reform. The statute that created the Postal Service begins with the following sentence: “The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by an Act of Congress, and supported by the people.” 39 U.S.C. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are based on the Postal Service’s fiscal year. In 2019, stamp and retail sales at The Postal Store on usps.com -- the official online Post Office -- totaled $301 million. U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The USPS has a long and proud history, earning a solid reputation and respect for its standards and professionalism, and it shouldn’t be any other way. 2. pink?). However, the system has certainly experienced many changes since the colonial days, with the official United States Postal Service (USPS) being created in 1971. Using a borrowed $100 as their initial capital, they set up shop in a cellar beneath Ryan’s uncle’s tavern. Each year? Although it has always been strictly against postal regulations, there have … ... the U.S. But do you know exactly how much we deliver? The United States Postal Service first began moving the mail on July 26, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress named Benjamin Franklin as the nation's first Postmaster General. From 1914 to 1920, the Farm-to-Table program was a novel initiative that allowed farmers to arrange prices with people in urban areas and then mail them their choice of ham, bacon, fresh meats, poultry, eggs, butter, cheese, nuts, maple syrup, honey, jellies, preserves, fruits, and vegetables. The Postmaster General used to be in the line of succession to the Presidency. The Postal Service has 100 hybrid 2-ton vehicles. Postal Service. Postal Service has a lot going on. A statue of Benjamin Franklin, printer, journalist, diplomat, statesman and the father of the U.S. Zero tax dollars used. There are electric, hybrid, compressed natural gas and liquid propane gas vehicles in the fleet as well. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, insulting “vinegar” or “poison” valentines were a popular trend in America (and England, btw). It's one of the most frequently visited government sites. These cards featured a male or female caricature of popular stereotypes like a miser or a spinster, and the drawing was accompanied by mean-spirited verse. Postal Service has a lot going on. It creates an app-like icon that will take you directly to the site. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Here’s a look at 10 fascinating facts about a uniquely American institution. 10. 25 In 1966, the Chicago Post Office, the largest post office at the time, came to a startling halt when 10 million pieces of mail became log-jammed. Here are 23 other things your postal carrier isn’t telling you. Upended by coronavirus financial distress, a presidential election gone postal and a declining load of mail to be delivered, the U.S. The financial woes of the U.S. Then, when Andrew Jackson was elected to the Oval Office in 1828, he went further and tied this political perk to the postal service, which at the time accounted for 75 percent of all civilian federal employees. Postal Service is an integral part of communication and delivery. The financial woes of the U.S. As of March 1, 1923, all U.S. homes had to have a mail box or slot, and just like that, postal employees no longer had to worry about patrons—just their dogs. Learn more. The Post Office Department was founded in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. Postal Service . About Endicia. USPS is experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks. And you know we’ve been doing it for a long time. Learn more, All heart. As a result, people tended to refuse so many letters in order to escape paying for them, which caused the post office to spend an inordinate amount of time returning mail to senders. American newspapers largely owe their existence to the post office. He made it customary for the new president to fire many of the postal workers and hand out the positions to supporters. The history of postal service of the United States began with the delivery of stampless letters, whose cost was borne by the receiving person, later also encompassed pre-paid letters carried by private mail carriers and provisional post offices, and culminated in a system of universal prepayment that required all letters to bear nationally issued adhesive postage stamps. The very first post office in colonial America was established in 1639 in the Boston home—which was also a tavern that sold “stronge water”—of a man named Richard Fairbanks. The Postal Service reported a loss of $2.7 billion for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The U.S postal system was officially established on July 26, 1775 and has been an integral part of American society ever since. Here are 25 Surprising Facts About The USPS Not Many People Know. What’s more, Civil War veterans got dibs on applying for the newly-created mail carrier jobs. The Postal Service receives NO tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. Franklin (1706-1790) put … While the Pony Express did deliver mail, it was never part of the U.S. postal service. They refer not to America’s stalwart men and women in blue but to messengers in the ancient Persian Empire (who wore … purple? Many people believe that the U.S. mail’s motto is this phrase: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Yes, it’s true that those are the words engraved on the front of New York City’s majestic 1912 James A. Farley Post Office, but they were taken from a 5th-century, BC, book by the Persian historian Herodotus. It was never part of the U.S. Enter your email. Mail carriers should have been called mail waiters. Want even more information about the United States Postal Service? He so trusted in the U.S. Early History of the U.S. In 1958, New York City jeweler Harry Winston donated the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond—today, valued at $350 million—to the Smithsonian. The United States Postal Service (USPS; also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the United States, including its insular areas and associated states. 16. In later years, he was viewed as a serious presidential candidate. Postal Service has no official motto. All rights reserved. Even though mail became delivered to people’s homes, mail carriers were allowed to hand it only to the recipient. Fifty are electric hybrid and fifty are hydraulic hybrid. The first post office was in a bar. The post office was in the Articles of Confederation, too. 13. 14. Because the U.S. mail was the only official way to send money, this severe punishment was less a reflection of the government’s cruelty and more an indication of the importance of safe postal delivery. Beginning with Thomas Jefferson’s presidency (1801-1809), it became a tradition—albeit an unethical one—for the winning candidate to fire a significant swath of federal employees and replace them with party loyalists. Often taken for granted, this impressive system of mailing by the U.S. Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. With Package Pickup, you can go online to request Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail packages be picked up at your home or offices as part of your mail carrier’s regular route — for free. Meanwhile, in Michigan, a 45-foot mail boat, the J.W. 20 Facts That Will Shatter Your Perception Of The U.S. The Postal Service operates a fleet of 40,000 alternative fuel-capable vehicles, most of which are equipped to use ethanol. President Jackson also decided that the Postmaster General should sit in the Cabinet, thereby putting the office on the same level as the Secretaries of War, Treasury, and State—and putting the PG in contention to be the Commander in Chief. More than 20 million customers have enrolled since it was launched in 2017. For a refresher course, journey through its 245-year history told through old photos and philatelic facts. Here are some surprising secrets your mail carrier knows about you. Ten Most Common Post Office Names in 2020: Clinton, 26 Madison, 25 Franklin, 24 Washington, 24 Marion, 23 Chester, 22 Greenville, 22 Springfield, 22 Georgetown, 21 Postal History is More Interesting Than You Thought. The United States Postal Service first began moving the mail on July 26, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress named Benjamin Franklin as the nation's first Postmaster General. Learn more. To learn more about the USPS, check out our FedEx vs. UPS vs. USPS page. The Smithsonian still possesses the original packaging with the postmarks, and although it is not on display, the Hope Diamond is. Postal Service's importance has grown throughout its history, and the way mail has been delivered over the years has evolved since its conception in the late 18th century. We hope you enjoy exploring our rich history. The very first post office in colonial America was established in … The history of the U.S. His Free City Delivery was such a success that it quickly spread to other cities before becoming a national norm. The truth is, postal history is educational, fun, and even humorous. With a function as straightforward as delivering the mail, you wouldn’t think the USPS would have so many interesting and unexpected facts. True, the Postmaster General was last in line, but that still put him or her a heartbeat, or dozen, away. The same Post Office Act imposed the harshest of penalties—death!—on mail thieves. 1. Advertisement - story continues below Fact 9: In spite of this, the USPS lost $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2017. In the more than two centuries since Benjamin Franklin was appointed our first Postmaster General in 1775, the Postal Service™ has grown and changed with America, boldly embracing new technologies to better serve a growing population. This meant workers waited and waited or circled back over and over again until their target, er, customer, came home. Postal Service . In 2018, the Postal Service picked up 209 million packages. 3. The Pony Express was in operation only from April 3, 1860, to Oct. 26, 1861. Your mailman used to be able to bring you greens, eggs, and ham. We’re proud to provide secure, reliable and affordable delivery of mail and packages to every address in the United States, its territories and its military installations worldwide. The Eagle Logo, the trade dress of USPS packaging, the Letter Carrier Uniform and the Postal Truck and the following marks are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: Click-N-Ship®, Deliver The Win®, EDDM®, ePostage®, Every Door Direct Mail®, Express Mail®, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, IMb®, Informed Delivery®, Intelligent Mail®, Parcel Select®, P.O. Article IX said that the government “shall … 12. We recommend our users to update the browser. In fiscal year 2019, the Postal Service recognized 232 heroic employees. Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. Share This Article BuzzFeed … Visit about.usps.com for more information. Box™, Post Office®, Pony Express®, Postal Inspection Service™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, PostalProud®, Express International®, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, Priority Mail International®, Priority: You®, Registered Mail™, Standard Mail®, The Postal Store®, United States Postal Inspection Service®, United States Postal Service®, U.S. Mail®, U.S. 1. 15. Congress soon reconsidered, and in 1799, stealing mail for first-time offenders was punishable by a public whipping and a prison sentence of up to 10 years. In 2019 the Postal Service app -- USPS Mobile -- was downloaded more than 2.1 million times from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. However, the position (and the … Early History of the U.S. Postal Service is a rich one, dating back to Colonial America, when a bar served as the first “post office,” serving as the pick-up point for mail that arrived from overseas. For years, the DLO was a popular tourist destination. The job was viewed as so critical to a young United States that John McLean, Postmaster General from 1823 to 1829, reported directly to President James Monroe and then to President John Quincy Adams. The two most popular Farm-to-Table products? The cost of registered first-class postage was $2.44 (around $15.80 today); plus, Winston paid an additional $142.05 (roughly $917 today) to insure it for $1 million. Postal Service®. Our history goes all the way back to the founding of the nation. Dec. 19 is the Peak Mailing Day in the U.S. during the holiday season. However, second offenders were still subject to death, which was unchanged until 1872. The USPS is one of the oldest fixtures of our American history. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 23 other things your postal carrier isn’t telling you, 12 unusual things postal carriers see every day, 10 of the craziest things people have ever shipped, 11 shocking things your mail carrier knows about you, surprising secrets your mail carrier knows about you, how the U.S. government really spends your tax dollars, 7 Signs You’re Wearing the Wrong Bra Size—And How to Find One That Fits, 40 Reading Quotes That Will Make You Crave a Good Book, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. Before 1971, the PMG was a Cabinet member. §101(a). 1775 - Benjamin Franklin appointed first Postmaster General by the Continental Congress 1847 - U.S. postage stamps issued 1855 - Prepayment of postage required 1860 - Pony Express began 1863 - Free city delivery began 1873 - U.S. postal cards issued 1874 - General Postal Union (now Universal Postal Union) established 1893 - First commemorative stamps issued 1896 - Rural free delivery began The U.S. Upended by coronavirus financial distress, a presidential election gone postal and a declining load of mail to be delivered, the U.S. Learn more. Here are our favorite Postal Service facts. Heroes. Butter and lard. The USPS also uses postal boats. Postal System is seen at the U.S. National Postal Museum Sept. 27, 2013, in Washington, D.C. PAUL J. RICHARDS/Getty Images In colonial times, mail was … 11. In 1863, Free City Delivery—i.e., free delivery of mail at your home—was first launched in Cleveland. In fact, thanks to Amazon, the Postal Service now delivers certain packages on Sundays — something unthinkable in most of the USPS’ history. The U.S. president earns a base salary of $400,000 a year; the postmaster general gets a base salary of $276,840. The mules carry mail, food and supplies down an 8-mile trail to the Havasupai Indians at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. The Postal Service has the largest gantry robotic fleet in the world using 174 robotics systems to move 314,000 mail trays per day. We appreciate your patience and remain committed to … The Postal Service provides a vital public service that is a part of the nation's critical infrastructure. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Postal Service. The Postmaster General was finally removed from the Cabinet and from succession in 1971. The line of postmasters general has been unbroken since Franklin. Our communications network supports and maintains more than 147,000 desktop computers, 31,000 notebook computers, 86,000 printers, 23,000 smartphones, 250,000 phone lines and 310,000 handheld scanners. In 2019, usps.com recorded 2.6 billion visits -- averaging 7.1 million visitors each day. As a result, she—the current officeholder is Megan Brennan, the first woman in history to hold the job—out-earns the U.S. vice president, who makes $243,500. You can connect with us in many ways, including: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube. On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Postal Service (USPS). Here’s how the U.S. government really spends your tax dollars. Today, it is not, it goes by the much less dramatic name “Mail Recovery Center,” and it is located in Atlanta. For 141 years, getting a job at the U.S. postal system depended on one thing: connections. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. Postal System have become a point of contention on Capitol Hill. Postal Service®, USPS®, USPS BlueEarth®, USPS Mobile®, USPS Operation Santa®, USPS Tracking®, usps.com®, ZIP+4® and ZIP Code™. Before 1971, the PMG was a Cabinet member. When the Hope Diamond was donated to the Smithsonian Institution, it went via U.S. mail. This stately fixture in the country is currently facing serious debt issues and is even in danger of being completely disbanded, not to mention the current debacle over how the reductions in USPS machinery will affect mail-in voting for this November’s election. UPS traces its history to 1907, when the American Messenger Company was started in Seattle by 19-year-old James E. Casey and another teenager, Claude Ryan. More than 1.6 billion stamps have been sold. You know we deliver for America. His next position after Postmaster General? On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution. Until the mid-19th century, recipients—not senders—usually had to pay for postage on the letters they received. (Source: Postal Museum) If you liked those fun facts, find more in USPS’s printable history booklet. The most unusual delivery method used by USPS is a mule train in Arizona. For a refresher course, journey through its 245-year history told through old photos and philatelic facts. Astonishingly, this practice continued all the way until 1969 when it was abolished by President Richard Nixon. How’s this for a bizarre post office fact—people used to be able to ship babies through the US Postal Service! 4. It was Franklin who modified and improved the postal delivery system as Joint Postmaster General for the Crown, greatly expanding its … This was seen as a way to give farmers more customers and city dwellers greater and cheaper access to fresh goods, and, after World War I started, it was touted as a way to help meet President Woodrow Wilson’s goal of food conservation in America. Affordability. Benjamin Franklin was the first postmaster general The Postal Service is at the core of the $1.6 trillion U.S. mailing industry that employs more than 7.3 million people. But it’s not the boring business that delivers all those holiday gifts and goodies, letters from pen pals, medical supplies and prescriptions and other crucial items. Franklin (1706-1790) put … The Postal Service reported a loss of $2.7 billion for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. Here are 12 unusual things postal carriers see every day. Learn more. However, these facts may become outdated after publication and seeking the latest information is advised. You know, like those Christmas cards you have to send each year. Postal System have become a point of contention on Capitol Hill. And delivers 472.1 million mail pieces each day that the government “ shall the! In accepting the position ( and the … Postal Facts 2020 provides the public information... Vehicles in the U.S. mail pieces each day U.S Postal system have become a point of on! Seeking the latest information is advised “ ZIP ” in ZIP Code mean anyway device to view Postal is... 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