The Postal Service is observing Black History Month, which began Sunday, Feb. 1.
The annual commemoration traces its roots to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson helped establish a week to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to U.S. culture and history. The observance was expanded to a full month in 1976.
Since 1978, USPS has commemorated the occasion by releasing a Black Heritage stamp. This year’s stamp honors Phillis Wheatley, the first author of African descent (circa 1753-1784) to publish a book in the American Colonies.
African Americans have made important contributions to the Postal Service throughout its history.
In the early 20th century, many African Americans found steady, valuable jobs in Post Offices.
In the 1960s, the number of Black employees promoted to supervisory positions grew exponentially, and African Americans were appointed as postmasters of the nation’s three largest Post Offices — New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The usps.com postal history section has additional information, including articles about 19th-century and 20th-century African American postal employees.
