Celebration Days in July

July 19, 2024

July’s best-known celebration day is likely Independence Day, which commemorates the founding of the United States of America. But even before the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, the Post Office of the United States (a precursor to the U.S. Postal Service) was established in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.

For this month’s blog, we’ll be highlighting National Postal Worker Day, which is celebrated every July 1. The holiday was founded in 1997 by Seattle-area mail carriers to recognize their fellow workers.

Delivery boy writing a ledger in Henry County, ca. 1900, IHS, P0159; Mailroom employee sorts mail outside Block’s Department Store, 1952, IHS, P0569; William Rose and George Rexhouse on the roof of the National Surgical Institute, 1897-1913, IHS, P0017

Six days a week, postal workers process, sort, and deliver our mail so that it gets to us quickly and safely. This takes dedication on any day, but some circumstances prompt extra commitment to the job: In the middle photo above, a mailroom employee sorts mail outside while firemen rush to put out a fire in Block’s Department Store behind him.

Mail wagon in Vernon, ca. 1900, IHS, P0391; Mail sacks on dray wagon in Brookville, 1910s, IHS, P0468

Postal workers didn’t always drive the speedy trucks they have today. The photo on the left shows a rural delivery wagon labeled “R.F.D.” for “Rural Free Delivery” on Rural Route “No.2”. Rural free delivery became a permanent service starting in 1902 and extended free postal delivery to rural communities who previously only had the option to pick up their mail at the post office. Dray wagons, as seen on the right, were reserved for heavier loads of mail.

Post office employees march on Meridian Street in Liberty Loan Parade, 1918, Bass Photo Co Collection, IHS; Mail carriers march around Monument Circle in Butler Fieldhouse Booster Day Parade, 1942, IHS, P0569

In the above photos, postal workers march in patriotic parades during the first and second World Wars. Their service to the American public was commended even before they gained their own national celebration day.

Madison post office employees, 1906, IHS, P0670; Madison post office employees, 1932, IHS, P0670; Mail carriers at Terre Haute post office, 1944, IHS, P0129; Postal workers in Hartford City, ca. 1935-1940, IHS, P0290

Postal workers have been a great asset to Indiana communities for years. Make sure to thank your local postal workers for their great dedication and service!

Another celebration day this month is National Kitten Day on July 10. This holiday was created by animal advocate Colleen Paige to encourage shelter adoptions and celebrate our feline friends. Check out Regan’s blog from September on Happy Cat Month to see even more cats from the collections!

Anne Wallace with her kitten, ca. 1925, IHS, P0129; Children holding kittens, n.d., IHS, P0515; Girl with four kittens at the Indiana State Fair Cat Show, 1934, IHS, P0490

Ellie Harrison is an assistant librarian at the IHS and loves all things fashion and art history

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