World Post Day — 9 October
#WorldPostDay
Today, 9 October, the world marks World Post Day, honoring the work of those in the postal industry and raising awareness about the vital role postal services play in the daily lives of individuals and businesses.
From the earliest messengers on horseback to national systems in the 1600s and 1700s, people have always found ways to connect. As international mail grew complex, the first guidelines for international postal services were established in 1863 with the help of U.S. Postmaster General Montgomery Blair. On 9 October 1874, delegates at a conference in Bern, Switzerland signed the Treaty of Bern, formally creating the General Postal Union, which became the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1878. In 1948, the UPU became a specialized agency of the United Nations, and in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo, 9 October was declared World Post Day. Today over 150 countries celebrate it.
The postal industry remains a powerful driver of social and economic development. In the United States alone, it employs nearly 500,000 career workers with over $70.6 billion in operating revenue. Countries including Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States rank among the best for access to services, efficiency and public trust.
At WAELE AFRICA Foundation, we recognize the post as more than mail. For many African women in rural and underserved communities, the post office is access — to information, to markets, to financial services, to education, to opportunity. A letter delivered, a small business parcel sent, a money order received can change a family’s future.
On this day, many Posts introduce new stamps, hold exhibitions, seminars and workshops, and honor their hardworking staff.
Today, thank your mail carrier, share a positive post office experience, and send a handwritten card to someone you love.
Happy World Post Day — Connecting people, connecting possibilities.
#WorldPostDay #150YearsOfConnection
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