Timeline of Key Dates

Throughout the centuries, the basic practice of a messenger carrying mail from sender to recipient has remained virtually unchanged.

Choose a Century, Decade or Year to find out how Britain's postal service developed.

<<

1880 - 1889

>>
DateText
Jan 18801880 - Tricylces first used on deliveries

Tricylces are first used to deliver the mail in Coventry.

Image: Parcel tricycle, 1837-1901 (OB1995.224/1)

Aug 18831883 - Parcels Post introduced

The Post Office introduces the Parcels Post.

Image: First parcels post, illustration from Illustrated London News c. 1883 (POST 118/1336)

Jan 18841884 - Vote granted to more men

The Representation of the People Act gives the vote to larger numbers of working class men in England and Wales.

Oct 18841884 - 0 degrees longitude established

Greenwich, London, is established as 0 degrees longitude.

Image: Navigational Chart of English Channel - stamp from Centenary of Greenwich Meridian issue, 26 June 1984

Jan 18871887 - Horse-drawn mail service begins

The Post Office re-introduces a horse-drawn mail service to use in conjunction with the transport of mail on the railways.

Image: Horse drawn mail van, 1887

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