Become a Back Bay Patch Blogger Today!

Good morning, Back Bay! Here are five things you need to know today, Friday, July 26:

1. BLOG WITH US: Blogging on Back Bay Patch is now easier than ever! Share updates from your Back Bay organization or write about anything that interests you—hobbies, politics, parenting, writing, cooking or whatever.  You can even personalize your blog with a title and photos. Click here to get started.

2. FREE FUN FRIDAY: Back Bay residents can explore 60 of the area's best museums this summer for free thanks to the “Free Fun Fridays” program offered by Highland Street Foundation. But this week the fun comes right to your backyard. New England Historic Genealogical Society—99-101 Newbury St., Boston; open Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can be reached at 617-536-5740. 

3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Back Bay Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Back Bay Patch news delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. It's totally free, so if you like what you read here, sign up now!

4. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On this day in 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many aspects of today's mail system. During early colonial times in the 1600s, few American colonists needed to send mail to each other; it was more likely that their correspondence was with letter writers in Britain. Mail deliveries from across the Atlantic were sporadic and could take many months to arrive. Information courtesy of History.com.

5. TODAY'S FORECAST: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain, high around 70. Low tonight around 65 with more chance for rain.