Google is trying to make sure you don’t get anything done at work today – something at which the company excels. Today’s homepage features a playable Google Doodle honoring the most famous mail service of all time.

When was the first mail delivered via the Pony Express? 155 years ago today, in fact. To celebrate this important day in history, Google has put out a fun little game featuring a horse and letters.

There are 100 letters to collect in all, but I’ve only managed to snag 87. Watch out for the bandits with lassos.

The Pony Express helped connect the East and the West in the mid-1800s. Using a series of relay stations, mail, newspapers, and other goods were delivered via horseback. Starting in St. Joseph, Missouri, and winding up in Sacramento, California, the Pony Express was in operation for around 18 months.

The Pony Express could get your letter across the country in about 10 days. Pretty impressive for 1860.

“The notion of triumph through adversity is so inspirational. So when William H.Russell, Alexander Majors & William B Waddell founded the Pony Express on April 3rd, 1860, they set in motion a wonderful yet daunting method of communication. What a concept–riders with letters on horseback racing from California to Missouri and vice versa to deliver mail on time! True to their word, the first mail arrived on April 14th. The Pony Express felt like a great game concept to us at Google. We’ve made time-based games in the past so our new idea was simple. Collect letters, avoid obstacles and aim for the ultimate 100 letter delivery! We know everyone is busy these days but the Pony Express needs YOU. And ultimately, whatever happens in life, what’s more important than earning trust and respect from a horse?” says the Google Doodle team.

The Doodle can be seen in the US, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Image via Richard Frajola, Wikimedia Commons