Postal 1
What side of the mail delivery truck is the steering wheel on?
The right side. This makes it easier for delivery workers in rural areas when delivering mail to roadside mailboxes.
Is the Canada Post funded by taxpayer dollars today?
No. In fact, the Crown corporation that runs the Canada Post has not received funding from the government for decades.
In what year did it become mandatory for each household to have a mailbox or letter slot: 1855, 1892, or 1923?
1923. Prior to this, letter carriers delivered mail directly to the doorsteps without any charge.
How many days a year does the Postal Service close?
11 official holidays. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the prior Friday will be counted as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.
Who designs the stamps that are chosen? Hint: Its acronym is CSAC.
Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee. The committee meets quarterly, and the meetings are closed and confidential.
What’s the name of the stamp that does not expire?
Forever stamps. Regardless of when the stamps were purchased or if the price changes over time, the forever stamp allows individuals to mail a letter of one ounce.
What famous silent film actor was an avid stamp collector?
Charlie Chaplin. Many countries have used an image of the actor on their own stamps.
What color were all mailboxes painted in 1971?
Blue. The boxes were given the new Postal Service logo decals
Who is the famous singer who has secured his place as the bestselling postage stamp? Hint: He’s the “King of Rock and Roll.”
Elvis Presley. The U.S. issued the stamp featuring him in 1993, and more than 500 million were sold.
In what state is the longest postal route in the United States?
Oklahoma. It’s 187 miles long. The shortest rural delivery route is in Parker, Colorado, where the carrier goes to 869 boxes in a 2.3-mile distance.
Who served as postmaster general for the Continental Congress from 1775–1776? Hint: He helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin. He put many aspects of the U.S. mail system we have today in place while in this position.
What state holds the oldest continuously operating post office in the United States? Hint: The state’s motto is “Live free or die.”
New Hampshire. Since 1816, this post office in Hinsdale has been in the same building. It even survived a fire that took out the Town Hall building next door
What famous singer and actor served as a postal clerk in Spokane, Washington? Hint: He sang “Swinging on a Star” and starred in White Christmas.
Bing Crosby. He worked as a substitute and routine clerk.
What was the name of the character who appeared in public service announcements urging customers to use the five-digit zip code?
Mr. ZIP. The cartoon mailman was introduced at a postmasters’ convention in 1962.
What service would be used when sending valuables through the mail?
Registered mail. A chain of custody is established to track the package when it is sent via registered mail.
When were the first stamps issued in the United States: 1776, 1847, or 1902?
1847. They went on sale in New York City on July 1, 1847
What does zip (as in zip code) stand for?
Zone improvement plan. The basic zip is five digits long: the first digit signifies a group of states, the second and third represent a region, and the fourth and fifth signify addresses in that region.
In what state was the first post office established in America?
Boston. It was established in a tavern in 1639.
Who was the first American woman to appear on a stamp? Hint: She was also a first lady
Martha Washington. Her image was used in 1902.
What expression is used when mail takes a long time to get to you?
Snail mail. Unlike quick and efficient emails, sending a tangible letter is a complex process and thus much slower
Who was the first president to be featured on a stamp?
George Washington. He was on a 10-cent stamp, and Benjamin Franklin was on the five-cent stamp.
What kind of animal was once the USPS’s unofficial mascot?
A dog. In the late 1800s, Owney the terrier traveled the country delivering the mail until his death in 1897. Owney’s body was preserved and is now on display in the National Postal Museum.
Who was the only U.S. president to work as a postmaster? Hint: He was the 16th president.
Abraham Lincoln. He was 24 years old when he became a postmaster in Illinois
What’s the term for a letter a woman sends her partner when ending their relationship?
Dear John letter. This phrase was popularized during World War II.
In what state is the largest post office located? Hint: It’s called the James A. Farley Post Office.
New York. The space is 33,100 square feet.