U.S. Postal System Established by Continental Congress

Summary

In the midst of the American Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress sought to create reliable communication channels for the colonies as they coordinated resistance against British rule. On July 26, 1775, the Congress formally established the office that would become the United States Post Office Department. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was appointed as the first Postmaster General, drawing on his prior experience managing colonial postal routes. This step centralized mail delivery across the thirteen colonies, replacing fragmented British-controlled systems. The new department enabled faster exchange of news, military orders, and political correspondence essential to the independence effort. Franklin served until early 1776, laying foundational practices for what grew into a major federal institution.