Find out how we're honoring the American spirit of freedom and independence at this remarkable time in our nation's history.
Show your national pride with a selection of stamps highlighting our history and the American spirit that were issued in 2026.
Browse StampsGet your Freedom 250 gear at select Post Office™ locations and explore our featured anniversary items on the Postal Store®!
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There are 62 Post Office stores in our country today that were in operation when the United States was born on July 4, 1776. All 62 are hosting special activities on July 3. Click the link to see where they are located.
Historically, it was common for Post Office locations to change whenever a new postmaster was appointed, but the Hinsdale, NH, store (pictured) has occupied the same building for more than 200 years.
Find a LocationTo commemorate America's 250th anniversary, USPS will festively wrap 30 mail collection boxes in cities and locations tied to our nation's founding.
Starting in June 2026, all automatically processed domestic mail will feature a special cancellation to commemorate this historical milestone.
Mr. ZIP and friends will celebrate our nation's semiquincentennial in a special episode of Mail with Mr. ZIP airing on July 2! Browse all episodes of the kids' YouTube series today.
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The American postal system was born of revolution. On July 26, 1775, about three months after the first clash between American colonists and British soldiers in Massachusetts, colonial leaders established a postal system that was seen as crucial to the war effort. It allowed for rapid communication between Congress and the Continental Army, with messages delivered within days rather than the months the British needed to communicate with London.
As soon as the new postal system was established, members of the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin the first American Postmaster General at a meeting in Philadelphia.
Our Founding Fathers knew that a robust, reliable, and secure means of exchanging information was critical to unify the distant parts of our nation—and to maintain unity once we achieved independence.
Women postmasters were the first women managers in the federal government. Mary Katherine Goddard was the first known woman postmaster in the United Colonies, the precursor of the United States. She served as postmaster of Baltimore, MD, from 1775 to 1789. During the Revolutionary War, mail service was so important that for several years, Goddard kept the Post Office open by paying the post rider out of her own pocket. In addition to serving as postmaster, she was a printer and ran a book shop and book bindery. She was also the first person to print the Declaration of Independence with the names of the signers.
Gear up for the festivities with special Freedom 250 merchandise available for purchase on the Freedom250.org website.
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