1

Postal "Army" (of Sorts)

Image: Emily Powers

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), founded in 1775, is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency . It protects the USPS, its employees, and its customers from crimes such as mail fraud, theft, and identity theft.

USPIS agents investigate mail-related crimes, provide security at postal facilities, and work to stop illegal drugs from being transported through the mail system.

2

Zip codes

Image: Tareq Ismail

ZIP codes were introduced by the USPS in 1963 to improve mail sorting and delivery. The five-digit code, short for Zone Improvement Plan, pinpoints specific geographic areas.

The digits represent a region, a city or county, and a local delivery zone . Today, ZIP codes are also used to study demographics and help businesses target mailings to particular areas.

3

The Postal Anthem

Image: Keagan Henman

The "United States Postal Service Anthem," composed by Jack Stamp (yes, that is his real name), honors the USPS and its long-standing service to the nation. It’s a musical tribute to the dedication of postal workers and the agency’s role in American life.

The lyrics highlight the USPS’s core values: honesty, integrity, and reliability, while celebrating its impact on U.S. history and everyday citizens.

‍

4

Guaranteed delivery

Image: Victória Kubiaki

The USPS is legally required to deliver to every U.S. address, no matter how remote . This includes over 153 million addresses, even in hard-to-reach areas.

To meet this huge challenge, USPS uses curbside mailboxes, local post offices, and partnerships with community centers. Virtual mailbox services, such as Stable, also help remote residents access and manage their mail online.

5

A lot of mail

Image: Sam LaRussa

Every day, the USPS handles over 400 million pieces of mail, including 162 million First-Class items. It delivers worldwide to more than 180 countries through its Global Express Guaranteed service and processes approximately 44% of the world’s mail . That is a lot of mail, by any standard.

To manage this massive volume, USPS uses advanced automation tools and operates over 34,000 retail locations, keeping its system fast, efficient, and reliable.

6

Going out West

Image: Jim Strasma

In the 19th century, the USPS played a vital role in developing the American West, providing new settlements with access to mail, supplies, and communication. Post offices and mail routes connected remote areas to the rest of the country.

This network helped settlers stay in touch with loved ones, receive news, and trade goods. Without the USPS, much of the frontier would have remained isolated.

7

Post office in a tavern

Image: Kevin Snow

‍ The first USPS office was established in Boston in 1775, inside a tavern associated with Benjamin Franklin , who served as the first Postmaster General. Franklin viewed mail delivery as key to America’s independence and began developing a postal network.

The office supported routes to Philadelphia and New York, and by 1789, post offices existed in all 13 colonies.

8

A floating post office

Image: Alessio Billeci

The Halibut Cove Post Office in Homer, Alaska (ZIP code 99603, in case you are interested), is unlike any other: it floats on water!

This tiny post office operates from a houseboat that’s permanently docked , serving the local community right from the harbor.

9

Bad handwriting department

Image: Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

We are not sure as to how often this happens, but it must be often. When automated equipment at a USPS processing plant cannot read a piece of letter mail, an image of the mail is captured and sent to the Remote Encoding Center (REC). At the REC, employees review the image and manually enter the address information .

The information is matched up with a valid address, the data is transmitted back to the equipment at the plant, and a barcode is printed on the letter, which can be read by the processing machines.

10

Mail a brick

Image: Math

Yes, you can mail a brick through the U.S. Postal Service. Just write the recipient’s address and return information directly on the brick with a permanent marker .

Once it’s weighed and stamped with the correct postage, your brick is ready to ship.

11

Someone mailed a kid

Image: Jonathan Borba

In 1913, shortly after the Parcel Post service began, some parents mailed their children to relatives. One baby in Ohio was sent to his grandmother just a few miles away .

The child arrived safely, but the incident led to new rules banning people from being sent through the mail.

1

Sweet Home Alabama

Image: Uwe Conrad

First things first: when it comes to songs that mention states, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd immediately comes to mind. While its catchy chorus will have you repeating the state's name all day, the song also features spectacular musical elements, such as its iconic guitar riffs.

2

Georgia on My Mind

Image: Ashley Knedler

Among the ballads, " Georgia on My Mind" stands out. Written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, the song later became deeply associated with Ray Charles, whose iconic 1960 version transformed it into a hit everywhere and eventually became the official state song of Georgia.

3

New York State of Mind

Image: Redd Francisco

Georgia isn't the only state on people's minds; New York is too. While the iconic "New York State of Mind" focuses primarily on the electric energy of New York City , its spirit reflects a wider love for the Empire State. Written and performed by Billy Joel, the song became an anthem not just for New Yorkers but for anyone who connects with the place's energy.

4

Kentucky Rain

Image: Noah Silliman

Yes, the King is definitely on this list! Elvis Presley also sang the name of a state with his legendary "Kentucky Rain." Written by celebrated country singer and songwriter Eddie Rabbitt, along with Dick Heard, the song stands out as one of the most memorable tracks from the later years of Elvis’s career, thanks to its heartfelt storytelling and memorable delivery.

5

The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Image: Diane Picchiottino

When you head down to Georgia, remember: The devil went there, too! At least according to Charlie Daniels Band, although the devil didn't fare well in the Peach State . "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" was released in 1979, blending country, bluegrass, and Southern rock. It tells the story of a fiddle showdown between a young man named Johnny and the devil himself!

6

California Dreamin'

Image: Maarten van den Heuvel

Although countless songs name–drop California in their titles and choruses, "California Dreamin'" is a classic that we all know and love. It just had to make this list, no matter what. First released in 1965, this folk-rock gem by The Mamas & The Papas became an anthem that helped define the decade.

7

Mississippi Queen

Image: Mike Beaumont

As a Southern rock anthem, "Mississippi Queen" couldn't be left off this list. Released in 1970 by the band Mountain, it became their biggest hit and has since been covered by many artists. With its powerful guitar riffs and unmistakable cowbell intro, it’s hailed as a rock classic.

8

California Girls

Image: Drew Farwell

As expected, California makes another appearance on this list, this time thanks to The Beach Boys. Released in 1965, "California Girls" became one of the decade's defining tracks and one of the band's most beloved hits. Its orchestral intro and summer vibe earned it a spot on Rolling Stone 's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

9

Mary Queen of Arkansas

Image: Jametlene Reskp

If there's ever been a singer-songwriter who embodies the true American spirit, it's Bruce Springsteen, not just for hits like Born in the USA, but also for deeper tracks like "Mary Queen of Arkansas." Released in 1973 on his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. , this slow, soulful song is an early example of Springsteen's talent for songwriting and storytelling.

10

Texas Flood

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

The Lone Star State couldn't be left off this list, and neither could the blues! "Texas Flood" was originally recorded by Larry Davis in 1958, but it was Stevie Ray Vaughan's powerhouse 1983 cover that turned it into a hit and helped revive blues rock in the 1980s. Heartbreak hits differently with this powerful song!

1

Table manners

Image: Mika Baumeister

If you're dining out in Canada, don't be surprised if you hear someone ask for a "serviette." It might sound really fancy, but it's just the Canadian way of saying what Americans call a "napkin!"

2

Leftovers confusion

Image: Henry Kobutra

When it's time to clear the table and clean the dishes, things can get confusing between Americans and Canadians. In the US, you'll hear "throw the leftovers in the garbage disposal," but up north in Canada, it's called the "Garburator."

Though it might sound like they’re talking about two different things, it’s the same device—just different names!

3

Let's run

Image: Bruno Nascimento

Both Canadians and Americans use the term "running shoes" to mean athletic shoes designed for jogging or exercise. But there's one word that sets them apart: "runners."

In Canada, "runners" are what you wear on your feet. In the US, they are the people wearing them!

4

A matter of power

Image: Mike Winkler

What do you call that thing you use to plug in several devices at once? Your answer might reveal where you're from. If you say "power strip," chances are you're American. But if you call it a "power bar," you're probably Canadian!

5

Rubber bands

Image: Andres Siimon

They're small but super handy, so it's worth knowing what to call them no matter where you are! In Canada, people ask for "elastics" when they need to bundle papers or bills. But ask for "elastics" in the US, and you might get a confused look. Americans almost always just call them "rubber bands" instead.

6

Colorful vocabulary

Image: Sara Torda

Coloring was undoubtedly one of the most delightful parts of childhood, and some people still enjoy it as adults! If you're one of them, you probably have a good collection of colored pencils. But if you're in Canada and need to buy some, keep in mind they call them "pencil crayons" up there.

7

It's all about gas

Image: Ali Mkumbwa

In both the United States and Canada, a "gas station" is the place where you stop to fill up your car with fuel. But while that term is widely understood and used in both countries, in some regions of Canada, you might also hear it referred to as a "gas bar."

8

Park…

Image: John Matychuk

If you’re Canadian, don’t ask an American where the "parkade" is— they’ll probably look confused . While "parkade" is perfectly normal in Canada, Americans usually say "parking garage," "parking deck," or just "parking lot."

9

Sweet words

Image: NordWood Themes

Those delicious brownies wouldn't be the same without a nice layer of powdered sugar on top, right? And while we can agree on how tasty it is, we don't all agree on what to call it. Here, it is "confectioners' sugar" or simply "powdered sugar," but in Canada, they prefer another name for the same product: "icing sugar."

10

Folder/ Duotang

Image: Savannah Wakefield

Remember that school folder with metal prongs to hold your papers, the ones you could easily add or remove pages from? In the US, we just call it a "pronged folder." But in Canada, they have a totally different name for it: they call it a "duotang!" Have you ever heard of that one?