Mail Delivery
High-Value Stamps Rushed into Use for WWI
On March 22, 1917, the US Post Office rushed to issue two new stamps to meet an urgent need. These high-value stamps were needed quickly for use on packages going to Europe.
First Se-Tenant Booklet Stamps
On March 11, 1977, the USPS issued its first se-tenant stamps in booklet form. The stamps had two different denominations, one to meet the first-class rate and one to meet the postcard rate. This issue also included the first multi-color booklet stamp.
Postage Due Stamps
On March 3, 1879, an Act of Congress authorized the use of Postage Due stamps. These stamps were unique, since they were the first US stamps that didn’t prepay for the delivery of mail. Instead, they denoted the amount of postage to be collected by the person receiving the mail because it was insufficiently prepaid.
Global Forever Series
On January 28, 2013, the USPS issued the first stamp in its Global Forever Series. These stamps are used on international mail.
Alaska’s Final Dog Sled Mail Route
On January 8, 1963, Chester Noongwook made his final trip delivering mail in Alaska via dog sled.
First Known Mail Delivered by Air
On January 7, 1785, mail was carried by an air vehicle for the first time.
First Overland Mail Delivery
On October 10, 1858, the first shipment of overland mail arrived in San Francisco.
First US Airmail by Balloon
On August 17, 1859, the first airmail in the United States was carried by balloon in Indiana, from Lafayette to Crawfordsville.
The Virginia City Pony Express
On August 11, 1862, Wells Fargo inaugurated its Virginia City Pony Express, which carried mail between Nevada mining towns and California business centers.