On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as the very first Postmaster General of the newly established Post Office. ✉️

Because a reliable way of transmitting information was crucial to independence, Franklin served faithfully in this role until November 1776, when his focus shifted toward securing French support for the Revolutionary War.

Franklin’s successful efforts laid the foundation for the national postal system we know today—delivering letters, connecting people, and shaping American history one stamp at a time.