Over the weekend, the United States Postal Service officially turned 250 years old. Founded on July 26, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, the USPS began its historic journey under the leadership of none other than Benjamin Franklin, who was appointed the first postmaster general.
In the earliest days, mail was often carried by ship captains, who would arrive in port and publish the names of intended recipients in local newspapers. Those awaiting a letter had to come claim it—and pay for it—unless the sender had already pre-paid for delivery, which wasn’t common until much later.
After the Revolutionary War, a more cohesive national postal system was developed. In 1847, the U.S. issued its first official postage stamps: a 5-cent stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin and a 10-cent stamp depicting George Washington. Throughout the 19th century, stamps generally featured prominent American leaders, but by the 1890s, the Post Office recognized a new revenue stream: collectors. That shift led to the introduction of commemorative stamps tied to historic events and national expos—a tradition that continues today.
Today, the USPS is a vast operation. As of 2023, it runs over 33,000 post office and contract locations across the country and delivered over 127 billion mail items to nearly 165 million delivery points. It also manages one of the largest civilian vehicle fleets in the world—over 235,000 vehicles as of 2024.
The service reaches even the most remote corners of the country in truly unique ways:
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The longest mail route covers 195 miles each day in Sidney, Montana, serving just over 300 boxes.
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The shortest route, in Woodinville, Washington, is only 2.45 miles long—but delivers to over 1,100 addresses.
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In Detroit, the 45-foot JW Westcott mail boat delivers letters and packages to ships while they’re underway on the Detroit River.
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On Alabama’s Magnolia River, a 15-foot boat delivers mail dockside to 176 homes.
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And in the Grand Canyon, mules still carry mail and supplies to the Havasupai people—just as they have since the 1930s.
Beyond delivery, the USPS plays a key role in public safety. The Mail Cover Program photographs the exterior of every letter and package as part of the sorting process, data that law enforcement can use in investigations. The United States Postal Inspection Service, founded in the 18th century, is the nation’s oldest continuously operating federal law enforcement agency. In 2021 alone, postal inspectors made over 5,000 arrests related to mail theft, fraud, and prohibited mailings.