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Pushing the Envelope Blog

A New Country, A New Mail System

Date: 07/04/21 | Category: Uncategorized

Today, the nation celebrates its 245th birthday. Did you know that in just a few weeks the U.S. Postal Service will mark its 246th? 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. Franklin was the perfect candidate to helm the new nation’s own mail system, as he oversaw the British colonial mail service that was being replaced.

Less well-known is the fact that the colonial postal operations played a supporting role in the planning stages of the American Revolution as well as in establishing the new republic. As reported in Smithsonian magazine:

“By the early 1770s, Franklin’s fellow patriots had organized underground networks, the Committees of Correspondence and then the Constitutional Post, that enabled the founders to talk treason under the British radar. In 1775, before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, the Continental Congress turned the Constitutional Post into the Post Office of the United States, whose operations became the first — and for many citizens, the most consequential — function of the new government itself.”

Please join the OIG in wishing both the United States and the United States Postal Service a very happy birthday!

Leave a Comment

Your Name
John Griffin
Oct 28, 2021
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I am sick and tired of those who constantly nag about our U.S. Postal Service. In my opinion and observation, we have the best postal service of anywhere in the world, bar none. The amount that they have to put through on a daily basis, is a testament to the men and women of our US Postal Service who perform so well every day to get us our mail and packages. You won't find such in other countries. Hats off to our US Postal Service. Next time you run into a problem think twice about the billions of mail that are delivered on time and to the proper address. Way to go, USPS. Best in the World. I have to disclose my uncle was a letter carrier. God Bless our postal workers!
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Jay Nelson
Sep 20, 2021
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I've been getting messages on my phone about winning things like iPhone or PS5s that's not my point. My point is they represent themselves as a USPS service, they even use all your logos. Every time they bait+switch. They gain my trust, then my info,and leave me hanging! Can't some thing be done.
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Richard J Soet
Jul 6, 2021
Your Comment
I mailed a valuable envelope FIVE WEEKS AGO and it is still sitting in the Jamaica facility. Because this envelope is so valuable and it has been nerve racking wondering as to whether or not it has been lost. I have spent countless hours trying to follow up on this but the USPS is pathetic and cannot offer ANY assistance. I opened an inquiry before the package got to the Jamaica facility but that zero effect as, although the inquiry is open the various systems of the Postal Service do not communicate so one system says it has arrived at Jamaica Facility while the other system is looking for it!! WARNING NEVER USE USPS to ship anything of value!!!
  
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Douglas Joseph
Jul 11, 2021
Your Comment
I agree with you my friend, this organization is poorly managed and run by criminals calling themselves U.S. citizens.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Kennedy Kwuipa
Jul 5, 2021
Your Comment
Thank you for the information.
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Kathirene J. Ewing
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
It is always an honor to read about this great organization's history and to see that more of the facts about its history have been identified. Thanks to the brave and loyal ambassadors of this great organization who continue to provide outstanding service to connect people throughout the world via mail delivery, whether it's during the "peak" of a pandemic or the "lifting of masks." Thank you for this added and most valuable piece of missing information from my collections of history for the United States Postal Service.
  
Your Name
Douglas Joseph
Jul 11, 2021
Your Comment
What postal service are YOU talking about??? Not the USPS.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
maike
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
Happy holidays
Your Name
John W Smith
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
Happy almost Birthday US Postal and to my Father You helped them become the strong entity they are. Soon they will all know your name and what you did for this country, and the United States Postal Service all 780 Pages. We definitely will be looking at a new Country this week.
  
Your Name
Douglas Joseph
Jul 11, 2021
Your Comment
Please explain HOW an entity can possibly be "strong", I am at a loss to encrypt that meaning.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Kathryn
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
Is the Post Master General still planning on slowing down the mail more than it is now?
Your Name
Gary Raymond
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
will save my congratulations for FedEx, UPS, and Amazon.
Your Name
joao jose dos santos
Jul 4, 2021
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muito bom quando agente toma iniciativa daquilo que nos mesmo venha a usar ateciosamente muito obrigado pelo contatos bom trabalhos meus queridos ,
Your Name
trisha oilar
Jul 4, 2021
Your Comment
Here's to wishing the United States and the United States Postal Service a very happy birthday!