1

Postal "Army" (of Sorts)

Image: Emily Powers

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), founded in 1775, is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency . It protects the USPS, its employees, and its customers from crimes such as mail fraud, theft, and identity theft.

USPIS agents investigate mail-related crimes, provide security at postal facilities, and work to stop illegal drugs from being transported through the mail system.

2

Zip codes

Image: Tareq Ismail

ZIP codes were introduced by the USPS in 1963 to improve mail sorting and delivery. The five-digit code, short for Zone Improvement Plan, pinpoints specific geographic areas.

The digits represent a region, a city or county, and a local delivery zone . Today, ZIP codes are also used to study demographics and help businesses target mailings to particular areas.

3

The Postal Anthem

Image: Keagan Henman

The "United States Postal Service Anthem," composed by Jack Stamp (yes, that is his real name), honors the USPS and its long-standing service to the nation. It’s a musical tribute to the dedication of postal workers and the agency’s role in American life.

The lyrics highlight the USPS’s core values: honesty, integrity, and reliability, while celebrating its impact on U.S. history and everyday citizens.

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4

Guaranteed delivery

Image: Victória Kubiaki

The USPS is legally required to deliver to every U.S. address, no matter how remote . This includes over 153 million addresses, even in hard-to-reach areas.

To meet this huge challenge, USPS uses curbside mailboxes, local post offices, and partnerships with community centers. Virtual mailbox services, such as Stable, also help remote residents access and manage their mail online.

5

A lot of mail

Image: Sam LaRussa

Every day, the USPS handles over 400 million pieces of mail, including 162 million First-Class items. It delivers worldwide to more than 180 countries through its Global Express Guaranteed service and processes approximately 44% of the world’s mail . That is a lot of mail, by any standard.

To manage this massive volume, USPS uses advanced automation tools and operates over 34,000 retail locations, keeping its system fast, efficient, and reliable.

6

Going out West

Image: Jim Strasma

In the 19th century, the USPS played a vital role in developing the American West, providing new settlements with access to mail, supplies, and communication. Post offices and mail routes connected remote areas to the rest of the country.

This network helped settlers stay in touch with loved ones, receive news, and trade goods. Without the USPS, much of the frontier would have remained isolated.

7

Post office in a tavern

Image: Kevin Snow

‍ The first USPS office was established in Boston in 1775, inside a tavern associated with Benjamin Franklin , who served as the first Postmaster General. Franklin viewed mail delivery as key to America’s independence and began developing a postal network.

The office supported routes to Philadelphia and New York, and by 1789, post offices existed in all 13 colonies.

8

A floating post office

Image: Alessio Billeci

The Halibut Cove Post Office in Homer, Alaska (ZIP code 99603, in case you are interested), is unlike any other: it floats on water!

This tiny post office operates from a houseboat that’s permanently docked , serving the local community right from the harbor.

9

Bad handwriting department

Image: Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

We are not sure as to how often this happens, but it must be often. When automated equipment at a USPS processing plant cannot read a piece of letter mail, an image of the mail is captured and sent to the Remote Encoding Center (REC). At the REC, employees review the image and manually enter the address information .

The information is matched up with a valid address, the data is transmitted back to the equipment at the plant, and a barcode is printed on the letter, which can be read by the processing machines.

10

Mail a brick

Image: Math

Yes, you can mail a brick through the U.S. Postal Service. Just write the recipient’s address and return information directly on the brick with a permanent marker .

Once it’s weighed and stamped with the correct postage, your brick is ready to ship.

11

Someone mailed a kid

Image: Jonathan Borba

In 1913, shortly after the Parcel Post service began, some parents mailed their children to relatives. One baby in Ohio was sent to his grandmother just a few miles away .

The child arrived safely, but the incident led to new rules banning people from being sent through the mail.

1

The helmet catch

Image: Lucas Andrade

In Super Bowl XLII, with the Patriots seconds away from winning a perfect match, Giants receiver David Tyree made an impossible grab by pinning the football against his helmet as he fell .

To this day, fans call it the greatest "miracle catch" in championship history, a moment that proved even the unbeatable can be beaten.

2

The infamous wardrobe malfunction

Image: Anders Krøgh Jørgensen

At the 2004 halftime show, Justin Timberlake tore part of Janet Jackson’s costume , revealing more than intended before a live worldwide audience. The moment lasted half a second but changed broadcasting rules forever.

Outrage, apologies, and fines followed, turning that split second into a pop-culture synonym for live-TV mishaps.

3

Prince in the rain

Image: Manos Gkikas

4

When Prince took the stage at Super Bowl XLI, thunder rolled, and rain began to pour . Instead of retreating, His Royal Badness leaned into the storm, closing with "Purple Rain." 

Viewers still recall that electric silhouette in the drizzle: a performer literally singing through his own anthem, transforming bad weather into living symbolism of showmanship.

5

Whitney Houston’s anthem

Image: Anders Krøgh Jørgensen

In 1991, Whitney Houston opened Super Bowl XXV with a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" so powerful it eclipsed the game.

That performance was replayed on the radio, released as a single, and later revived for charity, proof that a national anthem could become a timeless pop classic.

6

Beyoncé and the blackout

Image: Emily Bauman

Super Bowl XLVII’s halftime show is remembered by Beyoncé’s choreography, fireworks, and sheer voltage. Minutes after her final pose, half the stadium lights failed .

Fans joked she blew the fuse herself, and the event worked to her advantage, turning a technical glitch into an incredible moment.

7

The Budweiser frogs

Image: gary tresize

During the 1995 broadcast, three computer-animated frogs croaked "Bud… Weis… Er." The simple rhythm and humor made the ad an overnight sensation.

Viewers repeated it endlessly, making what was a simple ad (albeit a very expensive one) into a cultural phenomenon of its day.

8

The Philly Special

Image: Myron Mott

With the Eagles facing the Patriots in 2018, quarterback Nick Foles pulled off the unthinkable: catching a touchdown pass himself on a fourth-down trick play .

Dubbed the "Philly Special," it symbolized daring over doubt. Philadelphia celebrated its first title as fans shouted that a backup QB had outmaneuvered Tom Brady in football’s biggest game.

9

Shakira & J.Lo together

Image: Alexander Wark Feeney

In 2020, Latin superstars Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed together during Miami’s halftime . From swirling dance moves to a surprise cameo by J.Lo’s daughter, it was a cultural statement.

The show fused salsa, rock, and pop with Latin symbolism, leaving audiences buzzing with music and color.

10

The 28–3 impossible comeback

Image: Fredrick Lee

When Atlanta led 28–3 in 2017, viewers assumed Tom Brady’s Patriots were finished. Then came a jaw-dropping rally: overtime, a final drive, and a 34–28 victory. 

It became the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, a lesson in patience and belief, replayed whenever anyone wants proof that no lead is truly safe when Brady is behind center.

11

The King of Pop takes over

Image: Call Me Fred

Before 1993, halftime shows were novelty acts. Then came Michael Jackson, standing motionless for a full minute before launching into "Billie Jean." Ratings skyrocketed.

The spectacle turned halftime into prime-time entertainment. Every star since, from U2 to Rihanna, has followed in that path.

12

U2’s 9/11 tribute

Image: Roberto Rendon

Just months after the September 11 attacks, U2’s halftime show in 2002 honored victims as their names scrolled behind the band . Bono opened his jacket to reveal an American-flag lining.

Viewers remember the quiet tears as much as the songs, a moment where football yielded to shared mourning and hope.

13

A left shark dances on

Image: Adam Rutkowski

14

Katy Perry’s 2015 halftime delivered pyrotechnics, flying stars, and a confused blue shark dancer. While "Right Shark" hit every beat, "Left Shark" flailed endearingly off-tempo. 

Within hours, he became an internet hero, proving that even in a multimillion-dollar production, spontaneity and silliness can steal the spotlight from perfection.

1

Give up your favorite food to lose weight

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Small amounts of your favorite high-calorie foods can be included in a weight-loss plan . Just remember to keep track of your total calorie intake. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume.

2

Avoid bread, pasta, and rice

Image: Eaters Collective

Grains themselves aren’t necessarily bad or unhealthy. Consuming whole grains—such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, cereal, and pasta—as part of a healthy eating plan is a good idea because whole grains provide iron, fiber, and other important nutrients .

3

Choose gluten-free foods

Image: mohamed hassouna

Gluten-free foods are not necessarily healthier if you don’t have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye grains. If you don’t have these health issues but avoid gluten anyway, you may miss out on important vitamins, fiber, and minerals.

4

Avoid all fats

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Despite all the bad press, not all fats are bad. Fat provides essential nutrients and should be an important part of a healthy eating plan. However, because fats have more calories per gram than protein or carbohydrates (or "carbs"), it is important to limit fat intake to avoid consuming extra calories.

5

Avoid dairy products

Image: Kenny Eliason

Dairy products are an important food group because they provide proteins needed to build muscles and support organ function , as well as calcium to strengthen bones.

Most dairy products, such as milk and some yogurts, have added vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium, since many Americans don’t get enough of these nutrients.

6

Go vegetarian to lose weight

Image: Anna Pelzer

Embracing a fully vegetarian diet only leads to weight loss if you reduce your total calorie intake . As often happens, some vegetarians may make food choices that could lead to weight gain, such as eating large amounts of foods high in sugar, fat, and calories.

Eating small amounts of lean meats can also be part of a healthy plan to lose or maintain weight.

7

Don’t snack between meals

Image: Shreyak Singh

There is nothing wrong with snacking. It can help prevent overeating at meals , provided the snacks are healthy —like apples, peanut butter, low-fat cheese, or whole-grain crackers.

8

Healthy eating is expensive

Image: Louis Hansel

Healthy eating can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little planning and smart shopping , you can enjoy a much healthier diet on a budget . Many people think produce is too costly, but there are plenty of examples that prove otherwise. For instance, a large bag of lettuce is affordable and lasts a long time.

9

Avoid late-night snacks

Image: nrd

Late snacking isn’t inherently a problem. The real issue is when your late-night snacks are unhealthy . The time of day is not as important as what you eat. If you’re eating ice cream or chips and dip, you’ll gain weight—no matter what time it is.

10

Diet soda is better than regular soda

Image: Kenny Eliason

Multiple studies have linked diet soda to an increased risk of diabetes , metabolic syndrome, and obesity, though causation is still debated. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a healthier soda alternative, try flavored water, sparkling water, or unsweetened tea.

11

Non-nutritive sweeteners are healthy

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

The increasing demand for low-calorie, low-carb, sugar-free foods has led to a larger portion of products containing non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS).

While it’s clear that a diet high in added sugar increases disease risk, intake of NNS may also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes by causing negative changes in gut bacteria and promoting blood sugar dysregulation.

12

White potatoes are unhealthy

Image: Lars Blankers

Delicious potatoes are often labeled as "unhealthy" because they are frequently eaten in unhealthy ways. However, these starchy vegetables are highly nutritious , providing potassium, vitamin C, and fiber , and can be included as part of a healthy diet. The key is to cook or bake potatoes, but never fry them.