Postal history

Explore the past, glimpse the future.

In the nearly 250 years 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. We invite you to use these links to explore our rich history.

Significant dates
A chronology of postal milestones
Stamps and postcards
A history of stamps and postal stationery
Postage rates and historical statistics
Postage rates and postal history by the numbers
Personnel
Diversity in the workforce and prominent postal workers
Moving the mail
Mail transportation, from mules to missile mail
Delivering the mail and more
Fun facts, past programs, and unusual deliveries
Post offices and facilities
The history of postal places
Uniforms and equipment
The evolution of uniforms, mailboxes and postal gear
Additional resources
Sources for more information

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