In 440 BC the Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the Persian messenger system that “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness of night” stood in their way. More than two millennia later, the main USPS building in NYC, the James A. Farley Post Office, ran an inspired inscription up Eighth Avenue.
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”
James Aloysius Farley was one of the first Irish American politicians to achieve success on a national level. He was instrumental in building the New Deal coalition of Catholics, labor unions, African-Americans, and farmers. He was chairman of the DNC and Postmaster General during FDR’s first two terms but didn’t believe a president should serve more than two terms and split with the president when he went for his third. Later, he devoted his energy to the passage of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution stating “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” It was ratified in 1951.
The building covers 8 acres in the middle of Manhattan, which is a large chunk of land on such a densely packed island. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1966.
Words & Music by Mike Power 