We here at “Pushing the Envelope” want to wish all our readers a very happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July. On this day we mark the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — a document that heralded the start of our great experiment in democracy. Since then, the United States has become a beacon of hope and freedom throughout the world.

Later this month, the U.S. Postal Service will mark its 247th anniversary. That’s right, July 26, 1775 — the day the Second Continental Congress appointed Ben Franklin as its first postmaster general — is recognized as the start of America’s postal services.

And then there’s National Postal Workers Day — July 1, which we just passed — established originally in 1997 by postal carriers in the Seattle area in honor of fellow employees. It has since grown into an occasion for people to thank USPS workers for all they do, including walking four to eight miles a day, to keep more than 425 million pieces of mail moving and delivered.

In many ways, Postal Service history is American history, and no matter where you live in the country, USPS is obligated to serve every household. July isn’t the only month you can reflect on that, of course. But it’s certainly a good month to do it.