Photograph of main post office building, New York City

May 15-21, 1938

Postmaster General James Farley designated May 15-21, 1938 as National Air Mail Week in recognition of the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of America's regular airmail service. Post office buildings across the country noted the anniversary with lobby displays celebrating the service. The nation-wide campaign was used to promote an increased use of airmail service by the public. At the time, the cost of domestic airmail service was twice that of regular mail (six cents versus three cents).