United States Postal Service

United States Postal Service

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution.

History

The USPS traces its roots to 1775 during the American Revolution, when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General. The Post Office Department was created in 1792 and was elevated to a cabinet-level department in 1872. It was transformed into its current form in 1971 under the Postal Reorganization Act.

Services

The USPS offers various types of mail services, including First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Retail Ground, and Media Mail. It also provides services such as Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Insurance, and Return Receipt.

Operations

The USPS operates over 31,000 retail locations and delivers approximately 153.4 billion pieces of mail annually. It is funded by the sale of postage, products, and services, not tax dollars.

Governance

The USPS is governed by a Board of Governors and an appointed Postmaster General. The current Postmaster General is Louis DeJoy.

Controversies

The USPS has been the subject of various controversies, including issues related to mail-in voting, postal banking, and postal privatization.

See also

• History of the United States Postal Service
• Postal Regulatory Commission
• Mail and wire fraud
• United States postal notes

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