The postcard's success story traces back over 150 years, commencing on October 1, 1869, with the dispatch of the first postcard in Austria-Hungary. This humble beginning quickly transformed into a global phenomenon. Throughout the years, postcards have served as a means of connecting people across the world. For some, an affectionate postcard message marks the start of true love, while for others, a postcard offers solace during challenging times. Whether as a holiday greeting or a message of congratulations, postcards bring delight to family, friends, and relatives. World Postcard Day is celebrated annually on October 1, commemorating the creation of this cherished form of communication.

History and Background

• Initiation: World Postcard Day was first celebrated on October 1, 2020. The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the first known picture postcard, which was sent in 1869.
• Founder: The celebration was initiated by the Postcrossing project, a global postcard exchange community that connects people from around the world through postcards.

Objectives and Significance

• Celebrate Tradition: To honor the longstanding tradition of postcard sending as a means of communication and connection.
• Promote Handwriting: To encourage people to write by hand in an increasingly digital world.
• Cultural Appreciation: To appreciate the artistic and cultural value of postcards as mini works of art and historical documents.
• Global Connection: To foster connections between people from different parts of the world through the exchange of postcards.

Themes and Focus Areas

• Postcard Art: Highlighting the artistic aspect of postcards, including design, photography, and illustration.
• Historical Significance: Exploring the history of postcards and their evolution over time.
• Personal Connection: Emphasizing the personal touch and emotional value of sending and receiving handwritten messages.
• Global Community: Celebrating the sense of global community and understanding fostered by postcard exchanges.

Activities and Celebrations

• Send Postcards: Sending postcards to friends, family, or even strangers through postcard exchange programs.
• Educational Workshops: Hosting workshops on postcard writing, design, and history.
• Postcard Exhibitions: Organizing exhibitions showcasing vintage postcards, postcard art, and collections.
• Social Media Campaigns: Sharing postcard-related content and stories on social media using hashtags like #WorldPostcardDay.
• Postcrossing Events: Participating in or organizing meetups and events through the Postcrossing community to exchange postcards and celebrate the day.

How to Participate

• Send a Postcard: Write and send a postcard to someone you know, or participate in a postcard exchange program.
• Learn and Share: Educate yourself about the history and significance of postcards and share this knowledge with others.
• Create Postcards: Design your own postcards or participate in postcard-making workshops.
• Join Postcrossing: Sign up for Postcrossing and start exchanging postcards with people from around the world.
• Celebrate Locally: Organize or attend local events such as postcard fairs, writing sessions, or exhibitions.

Global Participation

• International Reach: Celebrated by people from various countries, with events and activities tailored to local cultures and interests.
• Cultural Exchange: Participants often share information about their culture, city, or country through the postcards they send.
• Community Engagement: Engages a diverse range of participants, from avid collectors to casual senders, fostering a sense of global community.

Resources and Support

• Postcrossing Website: Offers resources, tips, and a platform to connect with other postcard enthusiasts globally.
• Postal Services: Many postal services and post offices participate by offering special postmarks, stamps, or promotions for the day.
• Local Libraries and Museums: Often host events, exhibitions, and educational programs related to postcards.

Notable Observations and Examples

• Special Postmarks: Some postal services issue special postmarks or stamps to commemorate World Postcard Day.
• Postcard Collections: Libraries, museums, and private collectors may showcase their postcard collections to the public.
• Art Competitions: Competitions for postcard design or photography may be held to celebrate the artistic side of postcards.

Key Messages

• Cherishing Tradition: Postcards are a cherished tradition that offers a personal touch in communication.
• Art and History: Postcards are not just messages but also pieces of art and historical records.
• Connecting Globally: Postcards help to connect people across the globe, fostering understanding and friendship.
• Handwritten Joy: In a digital age, handwritten postcards bring joy and a sense of nostalgia.

World Postcard Day is a delightful celebration that brings together people from around the world to appreciate the simple, yet profound act of sending and receiving postcards. It highlights the enduring charm of handwritten messages and the rich cultural and historical significance of postcards.