October 9th is World Post Day. This is the day we celebrate the postal service and its origins.

The Universal Postal Union was established in 1874..

…as a means of cooperation and regulation amongst its member states’ mail services —  today it allows mail to flow freely from your mailbox to Timbuktu, and everywhere in between!  In 1969, World Post Day was inaugurated at the Tokyo Universal Postal Congress. (1)

There’s no doubt that our postal service today deserves recognition for its hard work and adaptability during these hard times.

5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THE POSTAL SYSTEM

1. It processes 5,000 letters a second

   The U.S Postal Service processes more than 5,000 pieces of mail every second.

2. It receives no help from Uncle Sam

   The USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses.

3. It has ancient English origins

   The word “mail” comes from a Medieval English word referring to a traveler’s bag or pack.

4. It used to walk like an Egyptian

   The earliest documented evidence of a courier system is from Egypt (around 2400 BC).

5. It started ZIP codes

   ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan, begun in 1963 by the USPS.

    

How to Thank Your Mail Carrier:

Say “Thank You”

Leave a gift card

Leave baked goods

Leave snacks and drinks

Leave a gift basket

Give them a new box of dog treats to replenish their stash