Today is...
Thank a Mailman Day

Today is Thank a Mailman Day! In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Constitutional Post—the first organized mail service in America. Before this act, people relied on friends, merchants, or private messengers to carry their letters. It was an unreliable system, and colonial British postal inspectors often intercepted confidential messages.
As the nation’s first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin established many of the conventions we are accustomed to today, including a standardized rate chart based on weight and distance. Before the invention of the stamp in 1847, the writer could pay the postage in advance or leave it for the recipient to pay upon delivery!
Over the past two centuries, the Postal Service has grown and changed dramatically, but its mission of promoting free and open communication has remained the same. To celebrate Thank a Mailman Day, take a moment to appreciate this historic service and thank your mail carrier the next time you see him or her!

Today is also National Stuffed Mushroom Day & Homemade Soup Day

February is Black History Month & Potato Lover's Month & National Weddings Month

images and text courtesy of MyPunchbowl.com" -- http://www.mypunchbowl.com/

History for February 4 1783 - Britain declared a formal cessation of hostilities with its former colonies, the United States of America. 1789 - Electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States. 1824 - J.W. Goodrich introduced rubber galoshes to the public. 1936 - Radium E. became the first radioactive substance to be produced synthetically. 1977 - "American Bandstand" celebrated its 25th anniversary with an ABC-TV special hosted by Dick Clark. 1997 - Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) scored his 600th National Hockey League (NHL) goal during his 719th game. Lemieux reached the milestone second fastest in history. Gretzky had reached the plateau during his 718th game. ________________________________________________________ "Man pines to live but cannot endure the days of his life." --Edward Dahlberg