World Post Day marks the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union's establishment in 1874. It is held on October 9 each year and its purpose is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives.

The First Postmen

From the earliest times in history, "postal services" existed in the form of messengers who travelled large distances on foot or horseback. The King's letters, the Royal Mail, were carried by a special messenger who wore a bright red uniform. In 1635, Charles I opened up his ‘royal mail’ for use by the public.

Postal Charges

Before 1940, letters were charged on the distance they tavelled from London and the number of sheets of paper used. Compared with today, the price of sending a letter was high. The person who received the letter paid the postage rather than the sender.

The beginning of uniform penny postage in 1840 made sending mail affordable to all for the first time.

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Post boxes in London

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