MAIL HITS PEAK AT ST. LOUIS POST OFFFICE

Mail handler Freddie Johnson monitors a mail hopper as it is emptied onto a conveyer belt at the Main Post Office in St. Louis on December 21, 2004. December 20 is known as the busiest mailing day of the year while December 22 is the busiest day for delivery. Locally, the Postal Service expects to deliver 3.1 million cards, letters and packages. Nationwide about 280 million first-class pieces will be delivered. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)