THE PONY EXPRESS AND THE US POSTAL SERVICE

THE PONY EXPRESS AND THE US POSTAL SERVICE AMERICANA PROGRAM MARCH 2010 DOHA, QATAR

Pony Express The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the North American continent from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. It became the west's most direct means of east-west communication before the telegraph and was vital for tying California closely with the Union just before the American Civil War

About the TRAIL Stations: Approximately 165 stations. Almost 2, 000 miles. Route: Between St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California Frequency: Once a week from April; twice a week from mid. June to late Oct. 1861

Pony Express Riders changed horses at stations placed about ten to fifteen miles apart. A rider handed the mail pack over to another rider after completing about 75 miles Lasted only nineteen months, from April 3, 1860 to October 24, 1861. Ended when telegraph first crossed the continent. A telegraph is a device for transmitting and receiving messages over long distances A telegraph message sent by an electrical telegraph operator or telegrapher using Morse code

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Who? Young lightweight riders were hired for the job. One of the most famous was Buffalo Bill Cody.

MOVEMENT TO THE WEST Why? One reason was the Gold Rush--People heard that gold had been found and rushed to seek their fortune. (1848– 1855) Many went to California by covered wagon--a long, difficult journey.

Traveling by covered wagon

The Old West Sometimes people talk about the 'West, ' the 'Wild West, ' or the 'Old West. ' They are usually referring to the people and events of the western region of the United States during the second half of the 1800's.

Oregon/California Trail 2, 000 miles long. Used about 60 years (1841 -1900) Followed by thousands of Americans to move west, first for fur, then as missionaries, and finally for land. Over 300, 000 Americans of all ages and walks of life sold most of their worldly possessions, piled what was left in a wagon and set off on an epic journey.

Oregon-California Trails

ROLE OF PONY EXPRESS IN CIVIL WAR (1861– 1865), Helped to preserve the Union by providing rapid communication between California and Washington, D. C.

Letters carried by Pony Express

Pony Express Stamps

Pony Express Commemorative Stamps

Letters carried by Pony Express

US Postage Stamps First adhesive stamps issued in 1842 On March 3, 1847, Congress authorized United States postage stamps. The first general issue postage stamps went on sale in New York City, July 1, 1847. Clerks used scissors to cut the stamps from pregummed, nonperforated sheets. Only Franklin and Washington appeared on stamps until 1856, when a five-cent stamp honoring Thomas Jefferson was issued. George Washington has appeared on more U. S. postage stamps than any other person.

Letters carried by Pony Express

“Snail mail” vs. e-mail! Sending personal letters was replaced by email years ago, at least for the most part. Business letters are still being sent and therefore there is still a need to know how to properly address an envelope. Addressing an envelope properly helps get your letter to the correct destination on time.

How we mail letters today PARTS OF AN ENVELOPE HOW TO ADDRESS AN ENVELOPE 1. Print return address in upper lefthand corner of envelope (Who is sending the letter) 2. In the middle of envelope write who letter is going to and their address. 3. Put stamp with proper postage in upper right hand corner. Now take it to the Post Office (USPS or United States Postal Service ) nearest to you and mail.

Now let’s write our own letter or draw a picture to President Barak Obama! [Date] Dear Mr. President, Hi! My name is_______. I am _____years old and am an American living overseas. I live in Qatar and go to _____(school). I attend the Americana program at the __(location)_____ and just learned about the Pony Express and the USPS. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for serving our country. Sincerely, _________ [Sign your name here]

HOW TO ADDRESS AN ENVELOPE your name J. Citizen and address 123 MAIN ST ANYTOWN AB 23456 -7890 . President Barak Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D. C. 20500 STAMP THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS

REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. http: //www. americanwest. com/trails/pages/ponyexp 1. htm http: //www. xphomestation. com/ http: //www. 42 explore 2. com/pony. htm http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/American_Civil_War http: //americancivilwar. com/pictures/north_south_states. gif http: //www. stamps. org/kids/January/stamp_overview. htm http: //www. usps. com/postalhistory/significantdates. htm? from=Postal History&page=Left. Nav_Significant. Dates http: //www. usps. com/postalhistory/stampsandpostcards. htm? from=Po stal. History&page=Left. Nav_Stampsand. Postcards http: //www. 42 explore 2. com/goldrush. htm http: //www. pbs. org/weta/thewest/places/states/oregon/wallowa. htm http: //www. kidport. com/Ref. Lib/USAhistory/Cal. Gold. Rush/Overland. Tr ail. htm http: //www. oregontrailcenter. org/Historical. Trails/Oregon. California. Trails. htm http: //www. abcteach. com/free/e/envelope_formatting. pdf