Good morning. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Many people assume that postal systems began in Europe, but in fact, the earliest known courier service was established in ancient China around 900 BC. This was mainly used for imperial messages. Later, in the 13th century, the Mongol Empire developed a more extensive relay system. However, the first public postal service, allowing ordinary citizens to send mail, didn't appear until the 16th century in England. It's important to note that this service was quite expensive, so only wealthy people could afford it. Over time, costs decreased, and by the 19th century, the introduction of the postage stamp revolutionized mail delivery, making it accessible to everyone.