Mail Delivery
First Known Mail Delivered by Air
On January 7, 1785, mail was carried by an air vehicle for the first time.
America’s First Postmaster
On November 5, 1639, Richard Fairbanks was made the first official postmaster in an American colony.
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.
Bicycle Mail
On July 6, 1894, a San Francisco businessman operated a short-lived bicycle mail route in San Francisco, complete with his own stamps.
Postmasters’ Provisionals
On July 1, 1845, US Congress established uniform postal rates, giving rise to the creation of Postmaster Provisional stamps.
Boyd’s City Express Post
On June 17, 1844, Boyd’s City Express Post, one of the first local posts in the US, opened in New York City.
Owney the Postal Dog
On June 11, 1897, the US Railway Mail Service mascot, Owney the Postal Dog, died in Toledo, Ohio.
Canada Centenary Issue
On May 25, 1967, the Canada Centennial stamp was issued in Montreal – the first time a US stamp had a First Day ceremony in another country.
Trans-Atlantic Airmail Service
On May 20, 1939, the US Post Office inaugurated its official trans-Atlantic airmail service to Europe.