Celebrate 1 July

The ZIP Code is 45 years old today. Prior to 1 July 1963 the Post Office had to just figure out where to send mail based on the address, of all things. Now they can do it with a 5-digit code, which will at least get it to the right area of the country. Because, you know, the name of the city and state, those aren't good enough. Actually for 20 years prior to the ZIP Code's introduction larger cities were divided up into postal zones, which you had to know in order to send mail. Faster mail service—or at least the idea of faster mail service—is worth a little celebrating.