NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY | JULY 1
National Postal Worker Day on July 1st recognizes postal workers all across the nation and encourages us to show our appreciation. Thank the numerous men and women who work consistently and diligently to deliver all of our mail. These employees suffer some of the harshest working conditions, yet continue to persevere six days a week.
#NationalPostalWorkerDay
Across the United States, postal workers walk an average of 4 to 8 miles carrying a full load of letters and packages, delivering them promptly to each of our doorsteps. Approximately 490,000 postal workers across the United States head out each day to our residences and businesses. Regardless of the weather, postal workers deliver all week long. Even when temperatures fluctuate from extreme heat and cold, the mail arrives. In the rain, sleet and blizzards, too, the mail gets delivered.
Besides severe weather, dealing with unusual packages is also part of the job. In 1913, the postal service started delivering packages up to a maximum of 11 pounds. The most surprising package to arrive for delivery was a small child. Barely under the weight limit, James Beagle was mailed. For a cost of 15 cents, a postal worker delivered young Beagle to his grandmother just a few miles away. This practice continued for just over a year. By then, the postmaster general put regulations in place prohibiting it.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY
While celebrating the day, take time to thank your local postal worker. Encourage others to get the word out and to focus on making every postal worker’s day just a little bit better. Contact the postal service and let them know how much you appreciate postal workers and the work they do.
On social media, use #NationalPostalWorkerDay to give a shout-out to your favorite postal worker. Whether they deliver, sort, or keep things organized, July 1st is their day.
NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY HISTORY
Seattle-area postal carriers established National Postal Worker Day in 1997 to honor fellow employees.
July 1st Celebrated History
1867
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario became the Dominion of Canada.
1903
France hosts the first Tour de France bicycle race.
1913
The Lincoln Highway Association forms. An idea of Carl Fisher, the organization promoted a coast-to-coast road sponsored and supported by corporate donations.
1968
The United States institutes the ZIP Code.
July 1st Celebrated Birthdays
Elizabeth Davey Lochrie – 1890
Known as the “Daughter of Montana” and adopted by the Blackfoot Nation, Elizabeth Davey https://lochrie.doanehoag.com/index.htmLochrie traveled rural Montana painting evocative portraits of the Native Americans who lived there. Her breathtaking murals captured the beauty and ruggedness of Montana frontier life.
Olivia de Havilland – 1916
The British-American actress is best known for her role as Melanie Hamilton in Gone with the Wind.
Nell Jackson – 1929
The Olympic sprinter was a pioneer in women’s track & field. She competed in the 1948 Olympics but her greater contribution to the sport was being selected as the first African American head coach for the women’s U.S. Olympic team in 1956. In 1972, Jackson was selected again to lead the team.
Dan Aykroyd – 1952
The Canadian-American actor gained popularity during the 1970s as a cast member with Saturday Night Live. As a versatile actor, Aykroyd’s performances bring to life unique characters. Watch him in The Coneheads, The Blues Brothers, My Girl, Ghost Busters and Grosse Pointe Blanke, just to name a few.
Diana, Princess of Wales – 1961
In 1981, Lady Diana Spencer married The Prince of Wales. Together they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Henry. She died tragically in a car crash in 1997.