The U.S. Post Office was established on this day in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin was named as its first Postmaster at a salary of $1000 a year. He had already served as Deputy Postmaster of the Colonies since 1753, and was subsequently responsible for many of the innovations and practices of the new Federal agency. Franklin is seen reading intently in a portrait. 
26 1775 July 26th, 1775: The American Continental Congress establishes a postal system for the colonies with Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general.
POST OFFICE DAY
On this day in 1775, a postal system was established by the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States. The first Postmaster General was the same gentleman who graces the U.S. $100 bill and who flew a kite with a key attached in a thunderstorm -- Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Franklin was paid $1,000 a year for his job as Postmaster General. 

Just fifty-four years later, the U.S. Post Office had grown to 7,600 offices and in some places, especially big cities, lines of people were kept waiting as postal clerks determined correct postal charges. Citizens were angered over the long lines and by the U.S. Government’s enforcement of postal rates. 

Here we are, over 200 years later, still complaining about postal rates while we wait in long lines at the post office. 

Some things never change. 
 

Philipp Scheidemann, German Parliament (SPD)/mayor of Kassel, geboren

1947 - A bill was passed into law that provided for all armed forces in the U.S. to be under the control of the National Military Establishment. That office is now called the Department of Defense. 

1947 - The National Security Council was established in Washington, DC. 

1947 - The Abe Burrows Show premiered on CBS radio. 
1947
Department of Defense forms
1947
National Security Act establishes CIA

 1950 - Duncan Mackay
musician: keyboards: groups: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, 10CC: Dreadlock Holiday, geboren
1950, geboren
Paul McHale, (Rep-D-Pennsylvania), geboren
1950, geboren
Susan George, London England, actress (Straw Dogs, Mandingo), geboren

1975, The Eagles started a five week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'One Of These Nights'.
1975
Soyuz 18B returns to Earth

1975, Van McCoy and the Soul City went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Hustle', his only US chart hit, it made No.3 in the UK. McCoy died on 6/7/79.

1977, Led Zeppelin cut short a US tour after Robert Plant's six year-old son Karac died unexpectedly.
1977
USSR performs underground nuclear Test

1980, The Rolling Stones started a seven week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Emotional Rescue', the groups eighth US No.1.

1980, appearing at the Monsters Of Rock festival, Donington Park, England, Rainbow, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Saxon, April Wine and Riot. Tickets £7.50.

1984 - Purple Rain, the film creation of Prince, premiered in Hollywood. Attending the gala at the Palace Theatre were Eddie Murphy, Lionel Richie and Stevie Nicks. MTV presented live coverage of the events. 

1984 - NBC took a giant step back to the way things were done in the 1950s. NBC started shooting 15-minute episodes of Punky Brewster to use when football games spilled over into the Punky time. 
1984
Expos Pete Rose ties Ty Cobb with his 3,052nd single
1984
Kuhn announces Vida Blue is suspended due to cocaine conviction
1984
Pitcher Vida Blue suspended for rest of 1984 due to drug use

1986, Peter Gabriel went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Sledgehammer', it made No.4 in the UK.
 

1986, the film soundtrack to 'Top Gun' went to No.1 on the US album chart.
1986
Lebanese kidnappers released Rev Lawrence Martin Jenco

1992, Motown artist Mary Wells died of cancer. 1964 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'My Guy'.
 

1992, Paul Stanley of Kiss married model Pamela Bowen.
 

1992, Sebastian Bach singer with Skid Row married Maria Aquiar.
1992
"Man of La Mancha" closes at Marquis Theater NYC after 108 perfs
1992
47th US Women's Open Golf Championship won by Patty Sheehan
1992
England honors her dead soldiers in the Falkland Is war
1992
Kiss Guitarist Paul Stanley weds Pamela Bowen
1992
Nolan Ryan strikes out his 100th batter for 23rd consecutive seasons
1992
Rocker Paul Stanley (Kiss) weds model Pamela Bowen