September 7th is Neither Snow nor RainDay

Each year on September 7, National Neither Snow Nor Rain Day is observed across the United States.  You may think that this day is all about the weather and it may seem a little strange talking about snow in the early part of September, however today actually commemorates the opening of the New York Post Office, on this day, in 1914.

The inscription, “Neither snow nor rain not heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” is inscribed on the building.

The James A. Farley Post Office Building is the main post office building in New York City.  Built in 1912 and opened for postal business in 1914, it is famous for the inscription.  It was in 1982 that the post office was officially designated The James A Farley Building, as a monument and testament to the political career of the nation’s 53rd Postmaster General.

Home to “Operation Santa”, the James A. Farley Post Office Building was made famous in the classic 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street.

The inscription, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”, which is prominently inscribed on the building, is often mistaken as the official motto of the United States Postal Service.   The United States Postal Service does not have their own official motto or creed however the above sentence is often cited as so.  The designing architects provided this saying, which was taken from Herodutus’ Histories and describes the faithful service of the Persain system of mounted postal messengers under Xerxes I of Persia, to be used in their design.   The inscription was then carved, into the building, by Ira Schnapp.

Have a happy National Neither Snow Nor Rain Day !