World Post Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

World Post Day is October 9, and we are thrilled to celebrate this day by sending letters, which were once the primary means of communication. While it may be true that we can now communicate virtually anything (literally) with the click of a button, the significance of our local postal services—and the thrill of receiving a parcel in the mail—has not changed since antiquity. The observance of World Post Day signifies the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s inception; the ongoing global communications revolution originated from this modest origin.

The background of World Post Day

Writing a letter is among the most emblematic ways to express concern for another individual. Although we may not give much thought to the procedures or regulations involved in shipping mail around the world after we affix the postage stamp, the transportation of birthday cards and online purchases from A to B requires the assistance of an international team.

The nascent stages of the postal service can be traced back to Ancient Egypt around 2500 BC. However, the earliest known official postal service was established in Iran in 550 BC. Courier services were employed by numerous civilizations to transmit correspondence, news, packages, and communications across vast empires that extended for millennia, thereby influencing the contemporary concept of the mailman. The United States’ postal service originated in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin serving as the nation’s first postmaster general.

The Universal Postal Union, which was founded on October 9, 1874, facilitated cooperation and regulation among the postal services of its member states. Presently, mail can be effortlessly transmitted from one’s mailbox to Timbuktu and beyond. World Post Day was officially established during the Tokyo Universal Postal Congress in 1969.

World Post Day is observed annually on October 9 by the 192 member countries of the UPU to honor universal mail and the UPU’s contributions to the global economy and society. Nations organize specialized stamp exhibitions and introduce novel postal initiatives; India, in particular, organizes an annual week-long celebration during the week of October 9th.

As evidence that it is possible to unite individuals, the UPU organizes an International Letter Writing Competition for young people aged 15 and above. Winners are chosen from each nation, and a UPU commission determines the world champion. The program maintains the enthusiasm associated with anticipating mail, in addition to advancing literacy.

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Engaging in World Post Day Activities

Appreciate the recipient of a letter

The anticipation of receiving a missive in the mail is universal. Furthermore, in an era where the majority of communication occurs digitally, sending correspondence “the old-fashioned way” is an ideal method to pay homage to our common postal heritage.

Appreciate a mail carrier

They visit our residences on an almost daily basis. Perhaps we ought to extend a cordial greeting, introduce ourselves, and express our appreciation for their assistance.

Make a donation to a food drive

A food campaign is coordinated by the United States Postal Service on the second Saturday of May. Donate to assist those in need by making a contribution. For this program, the USPS claims to have delivered over 1.6 billion pounds of food.

5 truly astounding postal system facts

Every second, the United States Postal Service processes over 5,000 pieces of correspondence.

No tax revenues are allocated to the USPS for operating expenses.

The origin of the word “mail” is a Medieval English term that denoted a pack or satchel used by travelers.

Egypt provides the earliest known evidence of a conveyance system, dating back to approximately 2400 BC.

The USPS initiated the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) in 1963.

WORLD POST DAY DATES