How Much Mail Is Sent Each Day?

The USPS processes millions of pieces of mail a day. CREDIT: Wildlife Conservation Society View full size image

The U.S. Postal Service handles 212 billion pieces of mail annually, or about two items for every man, woman and child in the country every day, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The first stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office went on sale this week in 1847. A five-cent stamp pictured Benjamin Franklin, while one costing 10 cents honored George Washington. Before then, there were no uniform stamps — a haphazard system of private postal services around the country issued their own.

Many of you probably don't remember a world without zip codes. The postal service introduced them in 1963.

Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+.