The Pony Express was a mail service that operated in the United States from April 1860 to October 1861. It was established to deliver messages and packages quickly across the vast and often challenging terrain between Missouri and California. Riders would travel on horseback, changing horses at designated stations along the route, allowing them to cover long distances in a short time. The service became famous for its speed and reliability, delivering mail in about ten days. Although it was short-lived, the Pony Express played a crucial role in connecting the growing nation and demonstrated the need for faster communication methods, paving the way for future postal services.