#'ThankAMailmanDay: United States Postal Service celebrates mail carriers

WASHINGTON - When you get your mail today be sure to give your mailman a big thank you!

Thursday is "Thank A Mailman Day." It's observed every year on February 4th and is a small reminder of how important mailman are to our everyday lives.

Some fun facts about the United States Postal Service:

-In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Constitutional Post - the first organized mail service in America.

-As the nation's first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin established many of the conventions we are accustomed to today.

-Postage stamps were invented in 1847.

-On April 3, 1860 the famous Pony Express officially took off.

-In 1863, free city delivery started and in 1896, free rural delivery began.

-In 1963, the Zip Code began.

Keep your eye out for your postal carrier and if you capture the moment, post your picture on social media using hashtag #ThankAMailmanDay.