Chapar Khaneh, the state-run courier (and transportation) service of the Persian Empire was established by
Cyrus the Great, and later developed by
Darius the Great as the royal method of communication throughout the empire.[1]
First century
Cursus publicus, the state-run courier (and transportation) service of the Roman Empire was established by
Augustus based on
Chapar Khaneh of the Persians[2].
1663 - England's Imperial Post Office is established in the Colony of Barbados.
1663 - Portugal's Correio-Mor das Cartas do Mar is established in
Rio de Janeiro by the 7th High-Courier of the Kingdom of Portugal,
Luís Gomes da Mata.
1671 - King
Louis XIV grants monopoly over service in Paris to the family Pagot and Rouillé.[9]
1675 - Beat Fischer von Reichenbach granted permission to operate a private postal service in Bern, Switzerland.
1690 – Leon II Pajot builds a privately operated postal center on 9
rue des Déchargeurs in Paris[9] - International Horse Carriages carry Mail from Paris to Pajot et Rouillé or
Thurn und Taxis Post relais around western Europe. The building, the
Hôtel de Villeroy still exists, it is used today for private apartments and for the exposition center Cremerie de Paris, the private courtyard can be visited by the public certain days in the summer.
Eighteenth century
1738 the Parisian postal family Pajot & Rouille had become one of the wealthiest families in France. The Royal French minister of finance
cardinal de Fleury estimates that the postal wealth should belong to the Kings of France and nationalizes the privately run postal enterprise.[9] The postal service also leaves the historic Pajot & Rouille buildings (formerly
Hôtel de Villeroy) located on rue des Dechargeurs / rue des Bourdonnais.
1970 - United States passes
Postal Reorganization Act, which changed the postal service from a government department to a corporation owned by the government.
1970 - United States initiates experimental
express mail service, makes it permanent in 1977.
Wood, Kenneth A. Post Dates: A Chronology of Intriguing Events in the Mails and Philately. Albany, OR.: Van Dahl Publications, 1985
ISBN0-934466-08-4 370p.