Universal Postal Union
Postal administrations worldwide combined forces in 1874 to create the Universal Postal Union with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. It then became a specialized agency of the United Nations on July 1, 1948. Today, with 189 member countries, the Universal Postal Union is the world's largest physical distribution network and primary vehicle for cooperation between postal services. Its purpose is to provide modern, responsive, and reliable postal services that will continue to be the most accessible and affordable means of communication and message delivery available. Designed by Gerald Gallo of Bethesda, MD, the 45-cent Universal Postal Union definitive stamp was issued August 25, 1999, in Beijing, China.