The Treaty of Bern, signed in 1874, established the General Postal Union, which is today known as the Universal Postal Union. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a international organization that coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the world-wide postal system. ...

Named for the Swiss city of Bern, where it was signed, the treaty was the result of an international conference convened by the Swiss Government on September 15, 1874. It was attended by representatives from 22 nations. Plans for the conference had been drawn up by Heinrich von Stephan, a German postal official. Location within Switzerland The city of Bern, English traditionally Berne (Bernese German Bärn , German Bern , French Berne , Italian Berna , Romansh Berna ), is the Bundesstadt (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after Zürich, Geneva and Basel). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Heinrich von Stephan (January 7, 1831 - April 8, 1897) reorganized the German postal service, and served as its director. ...

On October 9, 1874, the Treaty was signed. Originally called the General Postal Union, the organization established by the Treaty was renamed the Universal Postal Union due to its large membership. October 9 is the 282nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (283rd in leap years). ... 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The purpose of the treaty was to unify disparate postal services and regulations so that international mail could be exchanged freely.

World Post Day is now observed on October 9, recalling the date on which the Treaty was signed.

External links

• Universal Postal Union - About us