National Letter Writing Day
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Overview
National Letter Writing Day, celebrated on December 7th, encourages everyone to rediscover the joy and personal touch of handwritten correspondence. It's a day to slow down, connect with loved ones, and appreciate the art of composing a thoughtful letter in an increasingly digital world.
Origin and story
Before the advent of email and instant messaging, letters were the primary form of long-distance communication.
The U.S. Postal Service processes billions of mail pieces annually, including a significant number of personal letters.
Quick facts
- DateDecember 7
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Even the exact origin of this day is disputed, which is fitting for a holiday celebrating a tradition that predates any single founder by thousands of years.
Consider the competing founding claims
Some accounts credit the U.S. Postal Service with creating the day in 2005 to encourage handwritten notes; others point to Richard Simpkin, who says he started a letter-writing day in 2014 after spending years writing to people he considered Australian legends.
Know how far back the habit actually goes
Letters have been written since antiquity across ancient India, Egypt, Sumer, Greece, Rome, and China — making handwritten correspondence one of the oldest continuously practiced forms of long-distance communication in human history.
Read the fuller story
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
December 7 is also linked to author Mark Twain, a prolific and famously enthusiastic letter-writer, which some believe is why the observance settled on this particular date.
Fun facts
- Before the advent of email and instant messaging, letters were the primary form of long-distance communication.
- The U.S. Postal Service processes billions of mail pieces annually, including a significant number of personal letters.
- Receiving a handwritten letter can evoke stronger emotional responses than digital messages due to its tangible nature and effort involved.
- Some historical letters have become famous literary works, offering unique insights into past cultures and personal lives.
- Letter writing can be a therapeutic practice, allowing for deeper reflection and expression of thoughts and feelings.
Sources and attribution
National Letter Writing Week (Mystic Stamp Discovery Center)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Letter Writing Day?
- It is observed on December 7 each year.
- What is National Letter Writing Day?
- National Letter Writing Day, celebrated on December 7th, encourages everyone to rediscover the joy and personal touch of handwritten correspondence. It's a day to slow down, connect with loved ones, and appreciate the art of composing a thoughtful letter in an increasingly digital world.
- How do people celebrate National Letter Writing Day?
- Write and mail a handwritten letter — a tradition dating to antiquity across Egypt, Sumer, Greece, and Rome, on a day whose own founding is disputed between the U.S. Postal Service and letter-writer Richard Simpkin.
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