Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:

Read More About It:

"RFD Country! Mailboxes and post offices of rural America" by Bill and Sarah Thornbrook

"County systems of R.F.D.: Patterns and postal markings of the 67 earliest systems, established in 22 states" by Edith R. Doane.

Vocabulary:

rural

Interesting Fact:

The early rural mail deliveries were made by horse and wagon.

Study Questions:

What does 'rural free mail' mean?

Before rural mail delivery, how did people get their mail?

How has mail delivery changed since 1896?

U.S. historical events that occurred on November 17:

1962: Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. is dedicated by President John F. Kennedy

1973: In a speech to the Associated Press Managing Editor's meeting, President Richard Nixon claims, "Well, I'm not a crook."

November 17

November 17, 1896: Mail carriers continued their experiments with the second day of rural mail delivery on their routes near Sun Prairie. The first rural free mail delivery experiment in Wisconsin occurred on Nov. 16.

Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage January - December calendar page

November 17, 1896: Mail carriers continued their experiments with the second day of rural mail delivery on their routes near Sun Prairie. The first rural free mail delivery experiment in Wisconsin occurred on Nov. 16.