TEACHER MISHA WELCOMES YOU TO: OUR CITY FRIENDS

LEARN MORE ABOUT IT:

US Postal History

Pony Express

Mail carrier

People have always had the need to talk to each over long distances. Sending a letter has always been a really good way to do that. In the early days of our country, letters were sometimes delivered train, stagecoach, boats and by The Pony Express. These rough and tough men of The Pony Express used to ride horses hundreds of miles through all kinds of places just to deliver mail that couldn't be delivered by train or any other way.

The US Postal Servcice (USPS) was started over 200 years ago! It was created in 1775 by the same people who created our country, The Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster General. Mail was delivered much differently back then than is is now because there were no cars or planes but it still depended on the dedication of men and women who went out in any kind of weather to bring the colonists the mail.

Letter carriers created a national letters carrier’s organization over 116 years ago! Since this time mail carriers (present day term) have continued the tradition of delivering mail using all sorts of different methods.

A mail carrier is also known as a post carrier or postman.

FUN FACT: In Australia a mail carrier is called a postie.

Have you ever wondered how a mail carrier delivers your mail? Perhaps you saw your mail carrier drive in a postal service van or deliver mail by foot. In Australia, the postie delivers mail via a motorbike. In England mail carriers ride a bike to drop off mail at houses or apartments. Here in the United States mail is delivered by every means possible including by mail boat in some places where houses are built along a river or a waterway! Mail is delivered in many ways by many different methods but no matter how it's delivered, it always is...delivered.

It is very important for the mail carrier to get you your mail. It is a responsibility that they take very seriously. A famous saying for mail carriers is “Rain, snow, sleet or hail, we’ve got to deliver the U.S. mail.”

Here’s what a mail carrier does:

• Sorts mail at the post office.
• Makes sure his or her vehicle  is running and equipped with necessary materials.
• Drives, bicycles, or walks an assigned route.
• Is responsible for locating places on a map.
• Delivers the mail under bad weather conditions including heat and rain and snow.
• Collects postage due and delivery  receipts for registered, certified mail.
  

Today we have electronic mail, email, as well as other means of talking to friends and family.
But it's just as important for people to get their letters and packages as it was in the days when delivering a letter could take weeks and weeks.

Next time you see your letter carrier be sure to say hello!

You shouldn't listen in on your sister's conversation with her boyfriend because it gets too mushy.
Lezlee, age 11
-------

When your mother is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" it's best not to answer her.
Megham, age 13
-------

I'll never take my mom's car out again until I can do it legally.
Lorie, age 14
-------

Parents freak out when you have a party with loud music.
Eddie, age 10
-------

Every time my grandparents sleep over, they snore through the night.
Megan, age 6
-------

If you want something expensive, you should ask your grandparents.
Matthew, age 12
-------

When I want to watch a TV show with my parents past my bedtime, my mom always sends me to bed no matter how much I fake being "absorbed" in the program.
Rebecca, age 11
-------

Parents don't get enough appreciation.
Susanna, age 17
-------

You should never laugh at your dad if he's mad or screaming at you.
Jogn, age 12
-------




all quotes taken from from "Wit & Wisdom" by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. - Rutledge Hill Press