World Post Day

What Is World Post Day?

October 9th is "World Post Day." On this day in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) was founded with the goal of making the whole world a single postal territory. The UPU established the day as "UPU Day" in 1969 and renamed it "World Post Day" in 1984. It is an international day, also known in Japan as Universal Postal Union Anniversary Day.

The System That Lets Letters Reach Anywhere

The Universal Postal Union is an international organization that coordinates postal services among its member countries and oversees the international mail system. Headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, it is one of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations.

• 1874: the UPU was founded under the Universal Postal Convention
• 1877: Japan became the first Asian country to join the UPU
• 1948: the UPU became a specialized agency of the UN
• 1969: established as "UPU Day," then renamed "World Post Day" in 1984

Why Any Country's Stamps Work Internationally

With the founding of the UPU, countries agreed that mail could be sent from almost anywhere on Earth at near-fixed rates, that international and domestic mail would be treated alike, and that each country would collect and keep its own international postage. The UPU constitution provides that stamped mail is valid internationally, whatever country the stamp comes from. The week around this day is International Letter Writing Week, and Japan issues commemorative stamps for it.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Write a letter or postcard to family or friends who live far away
• Check out the commemorative stamps for International Letter Writing Week
• Look up how to send mail overseas and what it costs
• Take a moment to appreciate your local post office and mail carriers

A Single Letter Connects People Across Borders

Even in an age of email and social media, a handwritten letter carries a special warmth. On October 9th, think about the system that connects the world by mail, and send someone a note.