What is a mail delivery service that ran from 1860 to 1861?

The Pony Express was a mail delivery service that operated from April 1860 to October 1861. It was established to provide faster communication between the eastern United States and the West, using a relay system of horse riders. The service covered approximately 1,966 miles and significantly reduced mail delivery times. Despite its short operation, the Pony Express became an iconic symbol of the American West and the expansion of communication.