Pony Express starts

On April 3, 1860, the Pony Express began relay mail service between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, a route of approximately 1,800 miles. Founded by William H. Russell, William B. Waddell, and Alexander Majors, the service used roughly 80 riders and over 150 relay stations across eight present-day states. Riders covered 75-100 miles per shift, changing horses every 10-15 miles, delivering mail in about 10 days. The service operated for only 18 months before being rendered obsolete by the completion of the transcontinental telegraph in October 1861.