Postal History Chronology

Martha Washington became the first U.S. President’s wife to be allowed to ‘frank’ mail. What does that mean? Well, according to Mr. Webster’s dictionary, frank means “To send free of postage. The right to send mail for free. A mark indicating this right.”

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1813

Feb 27

Congress authorizes use of steamboats to transport mail.

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1837

Jun 20

England issues its first stamp, 1P Queen Victoria.

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Jul 24

Indian post office established.

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1840

Jan 10

First adhesive stamp in the world issued-Penny Post in England (but stamps not available till 6 May)

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Apr 11

The Penny Black postage stamp, the world's first, begins printing at Perkins, Bacon & Co. in London.

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May 01

First adhesive postage stamps ("Penny Blacks" from England) issued, invented by Rowland Hill.

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May 06

First postage stamps (Penny Black) issued (Great Britain).

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May 08

Twopenny Blue postage stamp goes on sale in England.

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1841

Penny Red stamp issued in Britain when it was discovered that people re-used Penny Blacks.

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1842

Feb 15

Adhesive postage stamps were used for the first time in the US by the City Dispatch Post (Office), a private New York City mail service-3ў each or $2.50 per 100.

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1845

Congress authorizes ocean mail contracts for foreign mail delivery.

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Jul 14

First postmasters' provisional stamps issued, NYC.

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1847

The first US postage stamp is authorized by Congress.

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The first US postage stamp is issued. It is also the first US-issued adhesive postage stamp issued (5ў Franklin & 10ў Washington).

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Jul 02

Envelope bearing the first US 10ў stamps, still exists today.

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1848

Nov 09

The first U.S. Post Office in California opens in San Francisco at Clay and Pike streets. At the time there are only about 15,000 European settlers living in the state.

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1850

First Australian postage stamp issued in New South Wales.

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1851

Apr 07

First postage stamp issued in Canada-3 penny black.

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Apr 23

Canada issues its first postage stamps.

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Nov 17

The U.S. Post Office issued a 1-cent carrier stamp to make it easier to pay fees for delivering and collecting letters. It was the first postage stamp to depict an American eagle; and the last to make it easier to pay the fees.

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1852

Netherlands begins issuing postage stamps.

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First postage stamp issued in India.

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1853

First triangular postage stamps issued in Cape of Good Hope.

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1855

Registration of letters authorized by Congress.

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Jul 18

First postage stamp issued in New Zealand.

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1857

Feb 24

The first shipment of perforated postage stamps is received by the U.S. Government. Only imperforated ones had been used previously. When stamp sheets were issued years later for the first time, someone thought it a good idea to return to the non-perforated style so that folks had to cut the stamps off the page. That idea didn’t last long. Customer complaints brought the perforated stamps to the sheets of stamps as well.

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1858

Aug 02

The first mailboxes were installed along the streets of Boston and NY City. The idea of mailboxes began in Belgium in 1848. We suggest that you check yours twice on this special day. And remember, mailboxes must be, as it says on the lid, “Approved by Postmaster General”!

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Aug 15

Regular mail to the Pacific coast begins.

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Sep 15

The Butterfield Overland Mail Company begins delivering mail from St. Louis to San Francisco. The company's motto is: "Remember, boys, nothing on God's earth must stop the United States mail!" Despite numerous hardships, the first flying postmen usually made their appointed rounds.

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Sep 16

First overland mail for California.

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1859

Aug 17

A hot air balloon became a mail carrier, as John Wise left Lafayette, IN with over 100 letters for people in New York City. Once again, the mail was late, as Mr. Wise only got 27 miles out of town before being forced to land.

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1860

St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California are linked by the Pony Express. Four hundred horses, especially selected for speed and endurance were used on a 10 day (12-16 day in winter), 3210 kilometer route. Each rider had to cover sixty miles (100 km) in six hours, using six different ponies. (XDG, p 4A, 4/3/2001)

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Apr 13

First Pony Express reaches Sacramento CA.

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Apr 14

The first Pony Express rider arrives in San Francisco with mail originating in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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1861

Feb 27

US Congress authorizes first stamped newspaper wrappers for mailing.

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May 26

Postmaster General Blair announces end of postal connection with South.

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Jun 19

The Anaheim Post Office established.

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Jul 03

The Pony Express arrives in SF with overland letters from New York.

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Oct 16

Confederacy starts selling postage stamps.

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1862

Jul 07

The first railroad post office was tested on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad in Missouri.

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Dec 08

First postage stamp issued in Hong Kong.

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1863

Free city delivery replaces zone postage; 449 letter carriers hired.

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Free city delivery of mail begins in 49 US cities; postage 3ў/Ѕ oz.

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1864

Nov 01

Money orders were sold by the U.S. Post Office as a safe way to make payments by mail.

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1868

Mar 17

The first postage stamp canceling machine patent is issued.

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Oct 31

Postmaster General Alexander Williams Randall approves a standard uniform for postal carriers.

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1869

Mar 01

Postage stamps depicting scenes were issued for the first time in the U.S.

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The first postcards are issued in Vienna.

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Nov 15

Free Postal Delivery formally inaugurated

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1870

The British Post Office issues the first Post Cards.

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1872

Aug 18

First Montgomery Ward mail order catalogue issued.

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1873

Congress authorizes federal departmental postage stamps.

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May 01

First US postal card issued.

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May 12

First postcard issued in U.S.

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1874

Sydney General Post Office opens in Australia.

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1875

Universal Postal Union established.

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1879

Aug 27

Sir Rowland Hill introduced postage stamps, dies at 84.

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1881

Apr 01

Kingdom post office in Netherlands opens.

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1885

US Post Office offers special delivery for first-class mail.

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Special delivery mail service begins in US.

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1886

Aug 04

Special delivery stamps first go on sale.

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1888

Mar 29

James E. Casey, founder of the United Parcel Service, is born.

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May 30

James A Farley, postmaster general (1933-38), is born.

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1890

Aug 13

The first annual convention of postal workers is held in Boston, Massachusetts.

1893

Jan 02

First US commemoratives & 1st US stamp to picture a woman issued.

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1894

First use of postcards with adhesive stamps in Britain.

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1896

The U.S. Post Office establishes Rural Free Delivery, with the first routes in WV.

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1898

May 19

Post Office authorizes use of postcards.

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1900

Apr 16

The first book of U.S. postage stamps was issued. The two-cent stamps were available in books of 12, 24 and 48 stamps.

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1901

Jan 22

After 63 years England stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series & begins King Edward VII series.

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1902

Dec 06

The 8ў Martha Washington stamp was issued this day. The stamp was the first U.S. definitive or commemorative stamp to feature a woman.

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1903

Jan 02

President T Roosevelt shuts down post office in Indianola MI, for refusing to accept its appointed postmistress because she was black.

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Nov 29

An Inquiry into the U.S. Postal Service demonstrates the government has lost millions in fraud.

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1907

Dec 09

Christmas seals went on sale for the first time, at the Wilmington, Delaware, post office; proceeds went to fight tuberculosis.

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1908

Feb 18

First US postage stamps in coils issued.

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1910

May 06

England replaces King Edward VII stamp series with King George V.

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Jun 25

The US Congress authorized the use of postal savings stamps.

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Aug 10

First airmail service organized in Britain.

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Dec 22

Postal savings stamps were issued for the first time. They were discontinued in 1914.

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1911

Jan 03

US postal savings bank inaugurated.

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Sep 09

The British Post Office opens an airmail route opens between London and Windsor.

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1912

Aug 24

The US Post Office got heavy -- by abolishing its rule that only parcels up to four pounds could be sent through the system.

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Nov 27

Parcel post postage-due one-cent stamp issued.

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Dec 16

The first postage stamp to depict an airplane was issued. It was a 20-cent parcel-post stamp.

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1913

Post office begins parcel post deliveries.

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1914

Sep 07

The NY Post Office Building opened its doors to the public. This brand new building on Eighth Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in NY City bore the inscription, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” The inscription, supplied by William M. Kendall of the architectural firm that designed the post office, is a free translation from Herodotus, the Greek historian.

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Oct 11

Edward J Day US Postmaster General (1961), is born.

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Oct 19

U.S. government-owned vehicles were first used to pick up mail in Washington, DC.

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1917

Nov 03

First Class Mail now costs 3ў.

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1918

May 13

The first US airmail stamps, featuring a picture of an airplane, were introduced. (On some of the stamps, the airplane was printed upside-down, making them collector's items.)

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May 15

Regular airmail service between New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. began under the direction of the Post Office Department, a forerunner of the United States Postal Service.

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Aug 12

Regular air-mail service begins between New York City and Washington, DC.

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Dec 25

Pierre-Georges Latecoere launches an airline flying mail from Toulouse to Barcelona, and to Alicante.

1919

Feb 14

United Parcel Service forms.

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Boeing flies the first U.S. international airmail from Vancouver, British Columbia to Seattle WA.

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First class postage drops from 3ў to 2ў.

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Aug 14

A U.S. aeromarine flying boat carries the first air mail delivery at sea.

Pierre-Georges Latecoere airline inaugurates airmail service between Toulouse and Casablanca. A letter from Paris to Casablanca now travels by train and air in 3 days, as opposed to 7-11 days by train and ship.

1920

Jun 13

The US Post Office Department rules that children may not be sent by parcel post.

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Sep 08

US Air Mail service begins (NYC to SF).

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Nov 16

Metered mail is born in Stamford, Connecticut with the first Pitney Bowes postage meter.

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Dec 18

First US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US.

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1921

Feb 02

Airmail service opens between New York and San Francisco.

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Feb 23

An airmail plane sets a record of 33 hours and 20 minutes from San Francisco to New York.

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Dec 01

US Post Office establishes philatelic agency.

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1922

Nov 04

The U.S. Postmaster General orders all homes to get mailboxes or relinquish delivery of mail.

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1923

Feb 22

Transcontinental airmail service begins.

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1924

Through regular transcontinental airmail service established, NYC-SF.

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1925

Jan 05

Under Polish control, Danzig establishes Port Gdansk post office.

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Jan 09

German Postal Minister A Hцfle resigns due to corruption.

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Feb 09

German Postal Minister A Hцfle resigns due to corruption.

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Feb 28

Congress authorizes a special handling stamp.

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1926

Feb 15

Contract air mail service begins in US.

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1928

Jun 28

Friedrich Schmiedl attempted rocket mail in Austria (unsucessful).

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Dec 20

Mail delivery by dog sled began -- in Lewiston, Maine.

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Dec 20

First international dogsled mail leaves Minot ME for Montrйal, Quйbec.

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1931

Feb 02

First use of a rocket to deliver mail (Austria).

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1932

Jul 06

First Class postage back up to 3 cents from 2 cents

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1933

The first singing telegram was introduced by the Postal Telegram Company in NY.

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1934

The Byrd souvenir sheet is issued. It is the first imperforated, ungummed sheets of postage stamps were issued by the U.S. Postal Service in New York City. Talk about inconvenience! One had to cut the stamps out of the sheet and then put some glue on the back to get them to stick on an envelope.

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Feb 19

US contract air mail service canceled, replaced by US army for 6 months.

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1935

Nov 22

The first transpacific airmail flight left San Francisco with over 20,000 folks waving good-bye. The China Clipper began its 8,000-mile journey with 110,865 letters on board, piloted by Captain Edwin Musick. The Pan American Martin 130 took off from San Francisco. 59 hours and 48 minutes later, it landed at Manila in the Philippines.

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Dec 01

Austria has world's first Day of Postage Stamp.

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1936

Feb 23

First rocket air mail flight, Greenwood Lake NY.

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May 09

The first sheet of postage stamps of more than one variety went on sale -- in New York City.

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Dec 10

England replaces King Edward VIII stamp series with King George VI.

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1937

May 25

First airmail letter to circle the globe returns to New York.

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1939

Aug 05

British transatlantic mail service inaugurated.

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1940

Apr 07

Booker T. Washington became the first black to be pictured on a U.S. postage stamp. His likeness was issued on a 10-cent stamp this day.

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1941

First highway post office makes 1st trip, Washington DC-Harrisonburg, VA.

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1943

May 05

Postmaster General Frank C Walker invents Postal Zone System.

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1944

Dec 01

Mail routing resumes in free South Netherlands.

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1946

Netherlands-German postal relations resume.

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1947

First helicopter air mail & express service, LA, CA.

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Nov 20

UN General assembly begins debate on printing their own stamps.

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Nov 24

The first Postmaster General of the United States, to be promoted from the rank and file, was named. J.M. Donaldson had moved through the post office beginning as a letter carrier in 1908.

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1949

Apr 23

Courtesy mail boxes for motorists started in San Francisco.

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1950

Nov 16

UN gets US government approval to issue postage stamps.

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1951

Dec 27

The Crosley car was put into use by the U.S. Postal Service in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the first right-hand-drive car designed specifically for mail delivery. The Crosley put the driver on the mailbox-side of the car, and changed mail delivery forever.

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1952

Feb 06

England replaces King George VI stamp series with Queen Elizabeth II.

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Nov 21

First US postage stamp in 2 colors (rotary process) introduced.

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1955

Bhutan issues its first postage stamps.

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1957

Apr 13

Due to lack of funds, Saturday mail delivery in the US is halted.

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Apr 15

Congress gives Post Office $41M; restoring Saturday mail delivery.

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1958

Aug 01

First Class postage up to 4ў (had been 3ў for 26 years).

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Aug 18

Great Britain issues regional stamps (N Ireland, Scotland & Wales).

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1959

Jun 08

First official "missile mail" lands (Jacksonville, Fla).

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Jun 11

Postmaster General bans D.H. Lawrence's book, Lady Chatterley's Lover.

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Oct 03

Postal codes introduced to Britain.

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1960

Mar 24

A U.S. appeals court ruled that the novel, "Lady Chatterly’s Lover", was not obscene and could be sent through the mail.

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Oct 20

The first fully mechanized post office opens in Providence, RI.

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1961

Jan 07

Trucial States (now UAE) issue their first postage stamps.

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Nov 06

US government issues a stamp honoring 100th birthday of James Naismith.

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1963

Jan 07

First class postage raised from 4ў to 5ў.

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The U.S. Post Office inaugurated its five-digit ZIP codes.

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1966

Feb 14

Australia introduces first decimal currency postage stamps.

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1968

Jan 07

1st class postage raised from 5ў to 6ў.

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1969

Guernsey & Jersey begin issuing their own postage stamps.

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Oct 04

UN starts issuing postage stamps at Geneva headquarters.

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1970

Mar 18

The first mass work stoppage in the 195-year history of the Post Office Department began with a walkout of letter carriers in Brooklyn and Manhattan, soon involving 210,000 of the nation's 750,000 postal employees. With mail service virtually paralzyed in New York, Detroit, and Philadelphia, President Nixon declared a state of national emergency and assigned military units to New York City post offices. The stand-off culminated two weeks later.

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Aug 12

The U.S. Post Office becomes an independent government corporation.

1971

May 10

US special delivery rates go from 45ў to 60ў

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May 16

First class postage now costs 8ў (was 6ў).

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1973

Jul 05

Isle of Man begins issuing their own postage stamps.

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1974

Mar 02

U.S. Postage stamps jumped from 8ў to 10ў for first-class mail.

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1975

Dec 11

First class postage rises from 10ў to 13ў.

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1976

Jun 09

James A Farley, postmaster general (1933-38), American businessman; managed Franklin Roosevelt's first two presidential campaigns, dies at age 88.

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1977

Jun 30

US Railway Post Office final train run (NY to Wash DC).

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1978

Jan 06

First postage stamp copyrighted by US (Carl Sandburg stamp).

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Feb 01

Harriet Tubman is first black woman honored on a US postage stamp.

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May 29

First class postage now 15ў (13ў for 3 years).

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Jul 21

US Postal Service & unions agree on a contract averting mail strike.

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1979

Jul 19

Record price of $500,000 paid for 4 postage stamps with JN-4 airplane printed upside down.

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Aug 24

UN's Vienna office begins issuing postage stamps.

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1981

Mar 22

First class postage raised to 18ў from 15ў.

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Nov 01

First Class Mail raised from 18ў to 20ў.

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1982

Jul 12

FEMA promises survivors of a nuclear war will get their mail.

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Dec 29

Bob Marley postage stamp issued in Jamaica.

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1985

Feb 17

Postage stamp prices are hiked to 22 cents, from 20ў for first-class mail in the U.S.

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Apr 17

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled its new 22-cent LOVE stamp. In a clever promotion, the USPS used the set of ABC-TV’s The Love Boat as a backdrop. The stamp went on to become one of the most popular ever offered by the postal service.

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Aug 03

Mail service returned to Paradise Lake, FL -- a nudist colony. Residents promised that they’d wear clothes or stay out of sight when the mailperson came to deliver.

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1986

Jan 30

The popular Love Stamp that pictured a little dog, went on sale this day. The U.S. postal stamp was the fifth in the continuing series. As of that date, more than 302 million Love Stamps had been sold.

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Feb 04

The U.S. Post Office issues a commemorative stamp featuring Sojourner Truth.

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Aug 20

Mail carrier Patrick Sherrill, Edmond Ok, shot 14 fellow workers dead

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1987

Apr 21

Special occasion stamps were offered for the first time by the U.S. Postal Service. “Happy Birthday,” “Get Well” and other messages were offered.

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Aug 04

A new 22-cent stamp honoring noted author William Faulkner went on sale in Oxford, MS. Faulkner had been fired as postmaster of that same post office in 1924.

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Aug 15

U.S. Postal Service officials reveal a stamp dye was altered by the engraver to contain a small Star of David.

1988

Mar 09

President Reagan presides at unveiling of Knute Rockne stamp.

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Standard US letter postage goes to $.25

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Dec 29

Victorian Post Office Museum in Australia closes.

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1989

Jun 25

First US postmark dedicated to Lesbian & Gay Pride (Stonewall, NYC).

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US issues a stamp, labeling an apatosaurus as a brontosaurus.

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1991

Feb 02

US postage is raised from 25ў to 29ў.

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Feb 03

U.S. First Class postage raised from 25 cents to 29 cents. (TWA, 1992)

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1995

Jan 03

The Postal Service raised the price of a first-class stamp to 32ў.

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1996

May 08

Postal inspectors wrapped up a two-year sting operation in 36 states against the nation's biggest child pornography ring.

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1997

Dec 19

Milwaukee postal worker Anthony Deculit kills a co-worker he feuded with, wounds a supervisor and injures another worker before taking his own life. (XDG, p 4A, 12/19/2002)

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1998

Feb 03

Britain issues a set of Princess Diana stamps.

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2002