United States Postal Service
3237.png")
![Running pony logo used by the U.S. Post Office Department before the creation of the USPS](/Images/godic/202502/19/Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_the_Post_Office.svg3237.png")
![~ Benjamin Franklin ~ George Washington ~The First U.S. Postage StampsIssued 1847The first stamp issues were authorized by an act of Congress and approved on March 3, 1847.[22] The earliest known use of the Franklin 5¢ is July 7, 1847, while the earliest known use of the Washington 10¢ is July 2, 1847. Remaining in postal circulation for only a few years, these issues were declared invalid for postage on July 1, 1851.[23]](/Images/godic/202502/19/First_US_Stamps_1847_Issue3237.jpg")
![Historic Mineral Wells, Texas post office built between 1911 and 1913](/Images/godic/202502/19/Historic_Post_Office_in_Mineral_Wells,_Texas3237.JPG")
The United States Postal Service, also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service, often abbreviated as USPS, is a government agency responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution.