Red Letter Day: U.S. Postal Service Continues 100th Anniversary Commemoration

News provided by

Jun 11, 2018, 03:56 ET

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

What: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the second United States Air Mail Forever stamp. The event is free and open to the public. Please share the news using the hashtags #AirMailStamps and #USAirMail.

The second United States Air Mail Forever stamp, the Air Mail Red Forever stamp is being issued to mark the 100th anniversary of the Post Office Department’s taking charge of the nation’s airmail service and making it part of the fabric of the American economy.

When: Saturday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Where: College Park Aviation Museum
1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
College Park, MD 20740

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service's Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Background: In May, the Postal Service issued a United States Air Mail Blue Forever stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of airmail service. Now, a United States Air Mail Red Forever stamp is being issued to mark the 100th anniversary of the Post Office Department's taking charge of the nation's airmail service and making it part of the fabric of the American economy.

The Post Office Department initiated regular U.S. Air Mail Service from College Park Airfield in Maryland to New York City on Aug. 12, 1918. This 218-mile route was the first step in establishing a transcontinental route by air. Operating from Aug. 12, 1918, through Sept. 1, 1927, this pioneering aviation service was instrumental in developing a critical infrastructure—profitable routes, lighted airfields for night flying, and improved navigational tools—that allowed it to succeed and prosper.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm. For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps). Subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Posts blog (uspsblog.com). For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.