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From Benjamin Franklin to Pony Express to anthrax: How the US Postal Service shaped a nation
National

From Benjamin Franklin to Pony Express to anthrax: How the US Postal Service shaped a nation

  • By SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press

The U.S. Postal Service is turning 250. Saturday's anniversary comes as the agency faces financial challenges. The postal service was established in 1775, when the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as postmaster general. Its service predates the United States, launched nearly a year before the colonies declared their break from British rule. A key link between colonial leaders and the Continental Army, it also helped unify the fragmented colonies by spreading ideas of liberty and independence and would help shape the nation throughout its history. It still reaches nearly every American daily.

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Lifestyle

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The children’s book "The Cat in the hat” (1957) has 223 different words. The book is for children learning to read.

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Grave decisions

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Age is just a number until your junk mail starts including free cremation offers.

Local News

New rates mean new stamps

  • Updated

New stamps and new rates are on the way. The U.S. Postal Service declared many times in recent months that there would be an increase in rates…