A global day celebrating the role of postal services in human connection, trade, and development worldwide.
Date9 October
TopicEconomy & Labor
Established1969
Ways to observe this day
Send a handwritten postcard or letter to a friend or relative
Visit a postal museum or stamp exhibition
Explore and use the services of your local post office
Share a fact about the history of the Universal Postal Union
World Post Day was established at the 1969 Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress in Tokyo, to be observed annually on October 9, the anniversary of the UPU's founding in Bern, Switzerland, in 1874. The UPU is one of the oldest international organizations still operating today and now functions as a specialized agency of the United Nations.
The day highlights the essential role postal services play in connecting individuals, businesses, and governments, facilitating international trade and e-commerce, and supporting financial inclusion in remote areas through postal savings and money transfer services. It also spotlights the sector's modernization amid digital transformation and the growth of online commerce.
Postal administrations in more than 150 countries mark the day by issuing commemorative stamps, organizing public open days, and running awareness campaigns showcasing modern postal services and the sector's evolution over time.