When did the US Postal Service begin and what was its purpose?

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In early colonial times, letter writers sent their correspondence to friends, merchants, and Native Americans via foot or horseback. Most of this correspondence, however, was between the colonists and family members back home in England. In 1633, the first official notice of postal service in the colonies appeared. At the heart of the “mailing industry” is the U.S. Postal Service, which has been active for over two centuries. An explosion of mail in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century drove post offices and large-volume mailers to work together to handle mail more efficiently.
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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@stephenspilker9334]

as a retired postal worker i found this documentary very interesting. the postal service is still a vital form of communication for this country.

[@xokayb7l2]

I'm also retired and have always be fascinated by some of the crazy history.

[@johnjay9404]

I saw it drop significantly during the internet boom, with email. We had several pallets of magazines per load, and it dropped to about 2 or 3 per load. I remember just transferring empty cages from one station to another.

[@alexandermckneely8815]

Thank you for your service! ⭐ I am a super fan of the Postal-Service... Life wouldn't be possible without you all. God Bless!

[@mondocjenson-dy8zd]

Thank you. I oft tell people that communication is layered...😮

[@Backroad_Junkie]

Ben Franklin's Post Office in Philadelphia is the only post office in the US that doesn't fly an American Flag, because it's the only Post Office that was established before the United States. (The post office is only a couple blocks away from the Liberty Bell/Independence Hall complex...)

[@TreeofLiberty1791]

Interesting fact, thank you for that.

[@Supreme36074]

Great info

[@makeoversbymeme2077]

How interesting! Thanks for sharing

[@sirswayzee1220]

Interesting

[@freetolook3727]

My dad was an RLC (Rural Letter Carrier) in one of the smallest post offices in the US for 42 years. He would buy the first issue of new stamps. I used to help him out in the winter when school was closed after a big snowstorm.

[@xxdesertstorm]

Established scams help remind this Ryan remember scams and their supporters can and will be held accountable

[@jaysonschor]

I was a PC (postal clerk) in the Navy during the 90's and I just had to comment on one of the pictures and say that it brought back some good memories seeing those 2 navy postal clerks in that photo.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

It began with Ben Franklin, its purpose is to destroy all packages and magazines it gets, and deliver all bills late and junk mail on time.

[@vetbcrazy]

True, but they don’t charge extra for storage.

[@TreeofLiberty1791]

@@vetbcrazy 😆

[@jasonrackawack9369]

😅🤣😂😉👍

[@lylecoglianese1645]

@Jason Rackawack, well..... That makes it the first and only successful Government endeavor!! 🤔 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

[@justcrys3898]

😂

[@russellfrench4866]

Thank you for including a picture of our small town post office in Winamac, IN (21:38 in the video).

[@rich478]

Hey buddy, you are one of my favorite creators. Thanks so much for what you do, your unique angle on history is great & I absolutely love your content. ✌️

[@talldude5841]

My father started working for the post office as a rural letter carrier in 1948 till 1982. He drove his own car and sometimes would let me ride with him. I was a tall boy so he would let me drive out in the country while he stuck the mail. I started doing that when I was 12. I took a day off work on his last day and drove the whole route with. Those were good times. I sure do miss him after seeing this. Great job.

[@nickgavis0305]

Those must’ve been some good times. I wish I could get a job as a mail delivery driver, that would be a sweet job

[@Kimberly-dt4ko]

You asked about the term going postal. It came about due to the mass shootings at post office facilities by disgruntled employees. This was back before mass shootings were occurring so frequently. So if someone was going postal, they were crazy with anger.

[@lethrbear32]

It was in the Edmond, Oklahoma Post Office in 1986. I remember it well because I lived there at the time.

[@samanthab1923]

It was during the 80’s & I remember Jerry asking Newman about why? He said it’s because the mail never stops coming!

[@leeatterberry1239]

🤪

[@ianleui7007]

The sponsor "Established titles" is a SCAM

[@watchmehope6560]

Any problems, Postal Employee Newman?@@samanthab1923

[@bigbobut0]

Established Titles is a scam. Scottish law does not grant titles for souvenir property purchases.

[@jimiwexler1260]

I can second this, why aren’t more people aware of this?

[@donalddodson7365]

As Ryan pointed out, the United States Postal Service was the largest civilian employer when the media created the misnomer "Going Postal." In the 1980's violence in the workplace was growing faster than the population. Several high visibility incidents occurred at Postal facilities, as well as electronics factories, schools and elsewhere. The actual rate of Postal employees to shootings seemed on par with the general increase of workplace violence. But, as the largest employer even if their rate was slightly less, the actual numbers were seen to be high. Remember, some of the violence was not related to the Postal Service, at all. Domestic violence was growing and spilled over as civilians followed their victims into Postal facilities where they worked. Another pressure upon Postal Service workers was the dramatic growth in the amount of mail processed, as Ryan addressed. Personnel who had become accustomed to a certain flow and pace of work were squeezed to move more mail with the same or reduced number of employees.

[@johnjay9404]

I was in the navy at that time. I remember that catch phrase and we all laughed about it, using it several times. 2 things I had no idea of, that I would become a postal worker and that workplace/public place shootings would become an epidemic.

[@donalddodson7365]

@@johnjay9404 Thank you for both services: the USN protecting US interests around the globe, and serving in the often thankless Postal Service, working for the roller coaster of successive Presidents, Congresses and Postmaster Generals who could not care less about the Postal Service. Stay safe.

[@pattycarljackson]

I work for the post office and yes it can be hard there are rough days weeks and months we may not always work with great people but I love my job.

[@ahotdj07]

One of my first jobs in high school was operating a mail sorting machine. The machine would read the bar code from the zip code on the envelope and place the mail in its corresponding bin. Sometimes I would work the line and empty the bins that were getting filled and put into special mail containers.

[@larrypatterson5363]

One of the important points that you failed to mention was the registration for the Selective Service Act. The PO was responsible for all the draftee’s of several wars, as well as keeping track of everything for the war department.

[@adamaizenberg756]

First person with mail: How do I get this, to the other side of the country? Dude with horse: … I mean, I guess I could possibly try and bring it there. First person with mail: This could become a thing I bet! Dude with horse: I don’t know… maybe?

[@rayfridley6649]

As for the Post Roads mentioned, one in particular is the Boston Post Road, which between NYC and Boston. Today, it is part of U.S. route 1.

[@bobsteadman9728]

Dude, research these companies before you decide to take them on as a sponsor and shill for them. Established Titles are a total scam. Another one a lot of you are falling for is Kamikoto knives which are made out of low-grade crap materials.

[@stephencurry8552]

My father was once a mail carrier (he enjoyed being outdoors). He became a Post-Master and retired from the postal service. Part of the reason I have great respect for postal workers. And respect for all government workers, including the IRS.

[@mikmik9034]

V-MAIL, letter to the military were a specific size, then Photographed. The mail was on "movie" reels then at the military P.O. the photographs were copied to (real) paper, enveloped (or folded) to be passed on to the person. Same for letters handed through CESNORS from military personnel. I don't know how the "movie" reels were handled.

[@Ralphie_Boy]

*My dad worked out of the Morgan station NYC zip code 36 mid the 1950-early 70s*

[@tomorrowhowever7488]

I never met my Uncle Sydney. He was Postmaster in Panama during final construction of the Panama Canal. I have fascinating postcards and letters that he sent to my Grandmother.

[@Ralphie_Boy]

@@tomorrowhowever7488 😀

[@xokayb7l2]

Worked there during route inspections a few times. Surprisingly really good cafeteria food.

[@Kharma60]

Are you this oblivious to what's going on in the world of KZbin? Your channel is based around doing research and informing viewers about history. But yet you are taking money from and promoting a scam? Welp your credibility is taking a hit here for sure. Obviously speaking about established titles...

[@philpots48]

My father was a post master in East Dorset, Vermont, in the 40s, he saved first issue stamps.

[@lethrbear32]

"Going postal" started shortly after the Edmond Oklahoma Post Office shooting that was done by a disgruntled postal carrier in 1986. I remember it well, because I lived there at the time. I recall hearing it for the first time about a week after the shooting.

[@jcksnghst]

Hey, I'm sorry, you heard it reported on about a week later?

[@lisamiller8174]

@@jcksnghst he heard the term "going postal" about a week after the shooting.

[@MrMizz007]

Very Very educational

[@michaelohalloran2800]

I delivered for 30 years in HoHokus NJ. Very proud of it . Media made fun of us. The best thing was taking care of your customers . Seeing kids growing up. Or great customer dying. It's Life. Day to day contact.All weather doesn't matter we are there. .

[@postofficefans]

Are folks also aware the USPS has about 1200 murals and sculptures in our nations post offices? Both the buildings and the artwork are treasures not talked about often enough. Wish this video would have touched on that fact, but I still enjoyed the video.

[@an-tm3250]

The post office is under the Republic, while the postal system is controlled by the US CORPORATION. Registered mail retains chain of custody thru post office, cetified thru postal service.

[@Murrlin27]

This was hella interesting! I love information like this, knowing exactly where mail trends happened.

[@SMWBraden]

Excellent!

[@jamesmiller4184]

Now that was really informational. 🌟🌟🌟

[@nonyanks2510]

That was really good stuff, interesting how it developed.

[@m.showers1242]

Always entertaining! Thanks!

[@johnjay9404]

I'm a retired postal TTO (tractor trailer operator) I thoroughly enjoyed this history. "Going Postal" hmm...I remember the disorganized chaos that came with the job. Yet, we had timed routes and had to stay on schedule. One truck hits the dock, and it had to be out on time because another truck was 5 to 10 minutes behind you. That stress, especially at Christmas holiday was enough to crack a driver's nerves. Strict policy rules were another stress. Traffic accidents and so on...we dropped a lot of drivers.

[@BackYardScience2000]

I have a love/hate relationship with USPS. I am an elements of the periodic table and chemicals distributor and I have to deal with them daily. Depending on where you go, some of the people can be extremely hard to work with and they'll sometimes charges me 5× what I paid originally on my card because the weight was less than 0.2 of an oz over what I said it was and I have to fight with them a lot over such things. When you have over 2,000 packages a year to ship, you don't need that kind of headache to slow your business down when you're so busy. So now, I deal with PirateShip and let them argue with USPS. But, that said, I couldn't do business without them and that's my only complaint. They are much faster at deliveries than any other shipper as well and they get my products to my customers within just a few days, even if they're in Alaska or Hawaii and me being on the east coast.

[@freetolook3727]

And to those of you who bought an Established Title, I have a very nice bridge in excellent condition for sale at a very reasonable price! 😂😅

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

Ocean front property in Arizona!

[@jcksnghst]

How much?

[@jerryclark5725]

Going Postal: This was a time when people with good medical insurance were prescribed,with exuberant experimentation, anti depressant medications. I experienced the damage done though friends, and employees. This was a crazy time with suicides and homicides coming from the most unexpected persons.The prescribing of such medications is better today.

[@MrMizz007]

Thanks Ryan

[@bobbysenterprises3220]

One of the biggest issues with the USPS is their pension promises. They legally have to provide the benefits promised to former workers. Despite them posting losses of 1.5 billion in just one quarter they were forced to prepay 120 billion of retirement benefits in 2006. They have been required to prepay for health benefits for 75 years. They are trying to change things as I understand to require postal workers to sign up to medicare insurance as well as changing the prepay requirement. They still have a lot that needs to change of they will ever get even close to the break even point.

[@Human4710]

The prepayment finally stopped this year and was taken off the books, and the medicare thing is in effect going forward. Still alot of work to do but it is a service, not a profit making business, was not intended to be.

[@freetolook3727]

@5:25 Mail carried from Washington DC to California in seven days and 17 hours? Hmm, just about the same amount of time it takes today! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@markmh835]

Seriously true! It generally takes 2 days to get a piece of mail across my city of 60,000 people. Sometimes longer. In October, one letter my office sent across town took over a week to be delivered! What gives?!? 😒

[@etjason1]

The statement on the James A Farley Building or main GPO in Manhattan is not the and never has been the motto for US Postal Department. It was added by the Architect and was taken from Herodotus.

[@richardjr]

Great job !

[@audreymuzingo933]

Wow I had no idea that the USPS and Pony Express were separate entities competing with each other. I assumed that the USPS evolved FROM the P.E.

[@3rdFloorblog]

Never worked at the post office. However, this video was extremely interesting to all of us who love the learn how things work around us, such as the postal service. The way we communicate has always evolved. It will be interesting to watch as the world goes more and more digital instead of paper based. With that, our method of communication will most definitely change and how such changes will effect the postal system is anyone's guess.

[@penywize2453]

No Mention of Wilkes-Barre???

[@stanpike8070]

The Wright Bros. flew for twelve seconds not minutes.

[@seanistheman7sk]

mailman here and i found this very interesting

[@joseleswopes1400]

The Post Office hires many Vets my husband worked there for a Long Time he's a Disabled Marine Vet 🌲

[@FEtriple6]

interesting

[@MrSirlulzalot]

Regardless, if a postal worker gets ANYWHERE near you, you best tuck your billfold down in your pocket and de- identify any return products they are taking possession of then, HOPE for the best.

[@Michael-v3z1s]

Proud to serve the American people

[@kentuckyproproductions1624]

Mailman here, we had a carrier threaten to kill us all by blowing our brains out about 3 months ago in our office. He’s undergoing therapy right now. That’s going postal.

[@mondocjenson-dy8zd]

@kentuckyproproductions1624 sounds like he has more issues than Sports🏈 Illustrated... 🙄

[@james_baker]

huzzah for the Post Office!!

[@tomorrowhowever7488]

I love the USPS! There are remote areas that for profit corporations will not deliver to without charging huge fees. Vital financial, medical and legal documents will not be moved if the USPS is abolished. Many of those areas also do not have internet access because it's not profitable!

[@markmh835]

@@tomorrowhowever7488 -- I live in rugged Idaho. Mail service to the homes deep in Hell's Canyon cannot be reached by vehicle and arrives by BOAT once per week. The residents are very grateful! 😊👍🇺🇸

[@hangten1904]

Made me curious about the history US Postal service after watching The Postman played by Kevin Costner

[@justinlawson3493]

Ouch still taking money from that scam site established titles..

[@ronalddevine9587]

In spite of certain individuals associated with the USPS, we still have the best, most trustworthy and fastest postal service.

[@markmh835]

And among the cheapest in the world.

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@markmh835 I hope you mean the least expensive.

[@markmh835]

@@ronalddevine9587 -- Absolutely.... least expensive. I just wish the Postal Service would get more creative with their stamps. The Peanuts stamps are great!

[@NE-BO]

Does the photo in the Thumbnail remind anyone else of a.... different building

[@lisamiller8174]

At 11:40, that is a photo of the "post office" in one of the internment camps for Japanese Americans. :(

[@Michael-v3z1s]

Postal service was and is a very important

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

If not for USPS how the "We've been trying to reach out regarding your car's extended warranty" scammers would mail people? Would they have to change their business by selling Established Titles maybe?

[@redhead8777]

The older I get the MORE TECHNOLOGY COSTS Me. The communication technology burden of the costs of a business has been and is being shifted onto the private consumer. The cost of internet, computer, printer, paper and ink cartridges is NOT DOABLE for an average senior on fixed income. COLAs are not keeping up with the expenses of it. I remember being happier when timess were "really" simple, faster, more enjoyable (no isolation) and MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE & MORE RELIABLE! At least we knew where our info was! Save the USPO! We are going to NEED them again when our grid is attacked and brought down!

[@galvinstanley3235]

Eventually all mail will be digital,except for packages.

[@trevormurphy7041]

You know that Lord stuff is a novelty scam I hope nobody falls for it

[@tedlawrence4189]

Christopher Columbus ran first US postal service. He used Camels and Llamas.

[@paulpoitras7496]

Lmaoooo established grifters

[@Michael-v3z1s]

Like my fellow carrier's

[@freetolook3727]

Does anyone actually write letters anymore?

[@markmh835]

Thank you notes, mainly. And birthday and Christmas cards.

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

If not for USPS how the "We've been trying to reach out regarding your car's extended warranty" scammers would mail people? Would they would have to change their business by selling Established Titles maybe?

[@freetolook3727]

@joaopedroalibernaz3 ...or shares of Masterworks! 😂💸💸💸

[@A-K_Rambler]

Coffee Stipend!

[@natecrosman9506]

I have to disagree. The USPS FAILED hard during the pandemic. It was taking 2 or 3 weeks for local mail to make it from Denver CO to Longmont CO.... Like 28 miles. Outdated service IMO.

[@MrSirlulzalot]

Mostly in my experience their purpose is to steal.

[@bullhead900]

What happened to the service that you used to get with the postal service? It is terrible now.

[@1rebel13]

Love your videos, but all the pop ups have to go! They are pointless to most viewers and totally distracting. I didn't count, but there must have been about a hundred of them in this video. Leave the research in the description for the very few that might look at it.

[@cook13doodle16]

❤

[@factssboy]

it 's very interesting , I like this video , I shoot the same videos too , but unfortunately 0 views .

[@0fficialdregs]

lol going postal isnt a good thing

[@karlstriepe8050]

It's purpose was to deliver mail. But I understand the confusion given that the USPS hasn't done that in decades.

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

It was 30 years ago when I learned that it you need it to get there tomorrow use FedEx. If you want it to get there cheaply, use UPS. If you don't care if it ever shows up but want to say it is on the way use USPS.

[@allthingshippiepeaceloveha4222]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ahotdj07]

@@hewhohasnoidentity4377 So true. I mailed a bill from Dallas TX and it was going to Hartford CT two weeks ago. They still haven't received it.

[@xokayb7l2]

I took there early retirement last year after 20 plus years as postmaster. There is no way they can sustain what they do. It is just bleeding out of every mailbox with no light at the end of the tunnel.

[@onieyoh9478]

Mail in ballots... Plato was right about democracy.

[@jamesmiller4184]

Pure democracy vs. representational democratic form.

[@beaushaver3779]

I bet the feminists are really upset about mail history 😅

[@vassa1972]

I'm in Hamilton Ontario Canada and I'm assuming that Canada went through the same thing?

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

Actually not. There's no such a thing as a USPS in Canada because Canadians are so polite that they don't want to fill up the other fellow Canadian mail box with junk mail, so if not for filling up someone's mailbox with junk mail, there's no purpose of having a postal service at all.

[@mikeseier4449]

The wright’s first flight was 12 seconds,Not 12 minutes…Nonetheless,Excellent video.

[@dawnreneegmail]

🇺🇸 flying half mast? They're hiring ( going postal.)

[@BitchinSpectre]

I am NOT an officer of the United States postal service!