Become a Beacon Hill Patch Blogger Today!

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

1. BLOG WITH US: Blogging on Beacon Hill Patch is now easier than ever! Share updates from your Beacon Hill 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 FRIDAYS: The Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays program is pleased to sponsor Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common in conjunction with other Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's Family Day Activities on Friday. Check out more here.

3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Beacon Hill Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Beacon Hill 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.