Locals Celebrate 'Postal Heritage Day'
July 28, 2015
A number of locals joined in with others in wishing the Postal Service a Happy 240th Birthday on July 26, "Postal Heritage Day."
On July 26, 1775, the Postal Service was established, thanks to an act of the Second Continental Congress creating the United States Post Office Department and naming Benjamin Franklin the first Postmaster General.
Locals marked the milestone with birthday cakes and other festivities. They also highlighted the Postal Service’s vital role in American life that should be protected as a public service, a public asset, and a national treasure. Some examples included:
For the third year in a row, a festival was held in front of the Berkeley Main Post Office in California, which happened to be celebrating its 100th birthday. The event celebrated both "Postal Heritage Day" and the successful struggle to save the Berkeley Post Office. Speakers, musicians, and comedians entertained the crowd. Click here to watch a video excerpt of the event.
The Seattle Area Local sang “Happy Birthday” to the post office at Seahurst Park in Burien, WA, at the local’s summer picnic. Despite storms, there was a good turnout.
In Washington, D.C., the National APWU held an event outside the Dorothy Height Post Office, followed by a tour of the National Postal Museum. At a festive table with balloons, passersby helped themselves to in-depth brochures and took the “I Stand with Postal Workers” pledge by signing postcards.
In Portland, OR, Portland Communities and Postal Workers United marched through the downtown area and ate birthday cake with none other than Ben Franklin himself, who gave a brief history of the Postal Service and spoke about the challenges postal workers face today.
The Mid-Hudson [NY] Local celebrated by informing the public about the shady deal between Staples and the USPS. Brochures were passed out in front of the store in Middletown, NY.
In addition, the Central Michigan Area Local and the Roanoke [VA] Area Local received proclamations from their mayors.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) sent a letter to postal workers, not only recognizing Postal Heritage Day but, taking a “moment to recognize the valuable service you provide and express my sincere gratitude for the fine job you do daily to keep us connected.”
On June 8, a letter and request for a proclamation was received at the White House petitioning President Obama to designate July 26 as Postal Heritage Day. The request was written “on behalf of the nearly 500,000 postal employees who live and work in communities all across America” and was signed by the presidents of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), National Postal Mail Handlers Union, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association and the American Postal Workers Union.
On July 28, White House staff gave Vice President Szeredy an apology for being unable to get the proclamation out on time. However, they are working on a letter of support from the President.