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