The Treaty of Bern Establishes the Postal Union That Connected Nations

On October 9, 1874, representatives of 22 countries signed the Treaty of Bern in Switzerland, establishing the organisation that would become the Universal Postal Union. Their agreement created a common framework for exchanging international mail, helping letters cross borders through a more coordinated postal system.

A Better Way to Send Letters Abroad

Before the agreement, international correspondence depended on a complicated network of postal arrangements between countries. Different rules and charges made sending a letter abroad less straightforward than posting one at home.

Postal reformers sought a broader solution. An international conference in Paris in 1863 had established some general principles, but it did not produce a comprehensive agreement. German postal official Heinrich von Stephan subsequently developed a plan for an international postal union.

The Agreement in Bern

At Stephan’s suggestion, the Swiss government convened a conference in Bern on September 15, 1874. The negotiations concluded with the signing of the treaty on October 9.

The agreement established the General Postal Union. Its central principle was that participating countries would form a single postal territory for the reciprocal exchange of correspondence. National postal services would continue operating, while cooperating under shared international rules.

The treaty entered into force on July 1, 1875. Its provisions covered practical matters such as postage, the transit of mail, and cooperation between postal administrations.

From General to Universal

As membership expanded, the organisation adopted the name Universal Postal Union in 1878. Bern remained its headquarters, anchoring an institution whose purpose extended far beyond Switzerland.

In 1948, the UPU became a specialised agency of the United Nations. Its role developed alongside changing forms of transport, communication, and commerce, while international postal cooperation remained at its heart.

Why October 9 Is World Post Day

In 1969, the Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo declared October 9 World Post Day, choosing the anniversary of the Bern treaty. The observance highlights the contribution of postal services to everyday life and economic development.

The agreement signed in 1874 addressed a simple human need: communicating across distance. By helping separate postal systems work together, its founders made international correspondence easier to organise—and helped people, businesses, and communities stay connected across borders.