News & Events

An exhibition featuring postage stamps from the U.S. Postal Service is on display in the Wells Library lobby. Look for it in the display case on the west side of the building, between the two sets of escalators.


History of  U.S. Postal Service

On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, agreed that there should be a postmaster general for the Colonies, and that his office should be in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin was selected to fill the position.

On March 3, 1847, Congress passed an act to provide for the issuance of postal stamps. The first stamps were issued and offered for sale on July 1, 1847. 

Christmas Stamps

The first commemorative stamps were issued in 1893. In 1962 the United States Post Office issued the first Christmas stamp. Almost every year since there has been a new issue of commemorative holiday stamps, both religious and non-religious. In recent years there have been also been additions for Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Eid stamps.

Other holiday stamps, issued only once, include Arbor Day (1932), Earth Day (1999), 4th of July (1969), Labor Day (1956), and Thanksgiving (2001), Chinese Lunar New Year’s stamps (1992-2004 (one year per animal)). Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Veteran’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, May Day, Diwali or other holidays have yet to be commemorated with a stamp.