On Sept. 7, 1914, one of the great mo9ttos about dedication to the job – “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” – was unveiled when the New York Post Office Building was opened in NYC. The inscription was put forward by architect William Kendall simply as a means of enhancing the building facade.

It is erroneously believed to be the official motto of the entire U.S. Postal Service, but the adage actually goes back to 450 B.C. and was written by the historian Herodotus. The U.S. Postal Service has no official motto.