Mail Delivery Erasing The Miles

Through rain, snow, heat, or gloom of night, we have all come to count on our trusty postman to deliver our mail. The United States Post Office handles more than 603 million pieces of mail a day. Six days a week, over 128 million American homes and businesses get their mail. Yet the US Postal Service represents only 43 percent of the world's total mail volume. Literally billions of pieces of mail travel around the world via messenger each day. But, how did this all come to pass? This program will follow the journey to the Letter. With a "behind the scenes" look at how your letter travels from point A to point B, interviews with notable historians and a talk with the Postmaster General: Marvin Runyon, we will show you how the mail arrives at your door each day. From the ancient Sumerians to the brave riders of the Pony Express, from the early days of Air mail to the innovations of today's E-mail, our mail has come a long way.

• documentary