World Post Day – 9th October
World Post Day is observed on 9th October, a chance to consider today’s global postal network and highlight current developments and challenges. It was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) creation in 1874. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to bring awareness to the Post’s role in the everyday lives of people and businesses, as well as its contribution to global social and economic development.
World Post Day theme 2024 – “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations.”
The Universal Postal Union was built up in the year 1874 in Bern, Switzerland and its commemoration is commended on the 9th of October consistently. Around 150 nations participate in praising World Post Day consistently. It affords member countries the opportunity to review their postal activities with a view to celebrating achievements and set new objectives and strategies for enhanced postal service.
Some countries launch their new postal products and services, organize exhibitions of stamps, and issue special first editions and reward their employee for their good work. Mainly countries sort out philatelic shows and issue special souvenirs such as T-shirts and badges on this day. Many postal operators host open days at post offices and postal museums, run conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as initiating other cultural, sporting and leisure activities.
Working together with UNESCO, the UPU has run an annual letter-writing competition for young people since 1980, handing over prizes to the winners on World Post Day. UPU’s member countries organize their own national activities to celebrate the event, including everything from the introduction or promotion of new postal products and services, to the organization of open days at post offices, mail centers, and postal museums.
Help your near ones appreciate the place that “snail mail” still holds in our lives with these fun activities.
-Start a stamp album. Also known as philately, stamp collecting is a popular pastime that everyone can enjoy. Buy your loved one a fun album or journal (use acid-free, lignin-free paper to keep it from falling apart) and use a photo-safe adhesive to paste in stamps cut out from used envelopes. You can also take a trip to your local post office and see which new stamps you may want to include!
-Find a pen pal. Many of us remember having a pen pal in elementary or middle school. Your loved ones might enjoy learning about another culture or another part of the country in this way. Ask your friends if they may have kids of their own who might be interested. (Bonus points for overseas correspondents!)
-Write a letter to your future self. Have you ever looked back on your life choices and wish you could have told yourself some important information back then? Your little ones still have the chance to benefit from this activity. Come up with some questions to ask them to help them think about what their life is like now and what they hope for their own future.
Taking it a step further, write a letter to your loved ones for them to open at a set date (after they graduate high school, when they turn 21, etc.). Write your advice, your hopes for them, and your description of who they are right now. Chances are, your letter will become a treasured possession.
-Surprise someone. Make or buy a “just because” card (or postcard!) and mail it to someone special. Take the opportunity to brighten someone else’s day as much as your loved ones brighten yours.
Suggested Read: Important Days In October
