Are banks, post offices open on Juneteenth? Here's what's closed on the federal holiday
Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, marks a pivotal moment in American history — the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally freed.
Though it originated in Texas, Juneteenth has grown into a nationwide celebration of freedom, resilience and African Black American culture.
In 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday, prompting many government offices and organizations to observe the day with closures or special events.
This milestone was largely due to the efforts of Texas native Opal Lee, now known as the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' who famously walked nearly 2.5 miles every year on Juneteenth to raise awareness and advocate for the holiday's federal recognition.
Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday established in 2021 by former President Joe Biden, is observed annually on June 19.
More: When is Juneteenth 2025? Is it a national holiday? Here's what you need to know
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom following the end of the Civil War — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by former President Abraham Lincoln.
While Juneteenth is a federal holiday, meaning government and federal employees typically get the day off, most private-sector workers are not guaranteed time off, especially in states that do not officially recognize the holiday.
In fact, federal law doesn't require private companies to observe any of the 11 federal holidays, though many businesses and schools offer days off or holiday pay throughout the year.
Texas became the first state to observe Juneteenth in 1980. It has been a paid holiday for state employees since.
Like most federal holidays, expect your local banks and credit unions to be closed in observance of Juneteenth.
Postal service retail locations will be closed on Thursday, and there will be no regular mail delivery — except for holiday premium Priority Mail Express — according to a U.S. Postal Service release.
UPS and FedEx will be open on June 19, with all services available as usual.
Most businesses and restaurants remain open for the holiday.
Costco will operate during normal hours on Thursday. The warehouse chain only closes on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Walmart will be open during normal hours. The chain closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Target will be open during normal hours. Target stores close for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but remain open the rest of the year.
The next holiday that most U.S. workers will take off is Fourth of July, which falls on a Friday this year, followed by Labor Day on Monday Sept. 1.
There are typically only 11 federal holidays, but Inauguration Day is included for 2025. However, it is only a holiday for federal employees in Washington, D.C., and certain federal offices.
Inauguration Day, which took place on Jan. 20, is not part of the regular 11 federal holidays, but because it aligned with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, most American workers had the day off.
Here's a list of the federal holidays in 2025:
Jan. 1, 2025 – New Year's Day
Jan. 20, 2025 – Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan. 20, 2025 – Inauguration Day
Feb. 17, 2025 – Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)
May 26, 2025 – Memorial Day
June 19, 2025 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
July 4, 2025 – Independence Day
Sept. 1, 2025 – Labor Day
Oct. 13, 2025 – Indigenous People's Day
Nov. 11, 2025 – Veterans Day
Nov. 27, 2025 – Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What's open, closed on Juneteenth 2025: Banks, USPS, UPS, FedEx
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