Postal Service Act Signed

Background. Prior to 1792, postal services in America had existed since 1692, and the United States Post Office was created in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. The 1792 Act formalized these efforts into the Post Office Department, providing for a greatly expanded postal network and serving editors by charging newspapers an extremely low rate.

Legislative Action. The Postal Service Act was signed by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. This act established the United States Post Office Department, which later became a Cabinet department from 1872 to 1971. The law provided for a greatly expanded postal network and served editors by charging newspapers an extremely low rate.

Historical Context. The Post Office Department was the predecessor of the United States Postal Service. The 1792 law provided for a greatly expanded postal network, and served editors by charging newspapers an extremely low rate. The official post office was created in 1792 as the Post Office Department (USPOD).