Latest news with #America'sSecondIndependenceDay
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What's open and closed on Juneteenth: Details on stock market, banks, post offices, Costco, Starbucks, Walmart and more
Juneteenth, America's youngest federal holiday, is being observed on Thursday, June 19. Several departments at the local, state and federal levels as well as banks and post offices will remain shut for the day, while restaurants and grocery stores are scheduled to operate as usual. Also popular as 'America's Second Independence Day,' Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday in the US since 2021. In the United States, Juneteenth is marked on June 19 every year, providing Americans the opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery. This year, Juneteenth is being observed on Thursday. Juneteenth honors the time when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas' Galveston Bay in 1865 and was joined by 2,000 Union troops. During his visit, he proclaimed that more than 250,000 enslaved African American people in the region were free. This came roughly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The order outlawed slavery in all the Confederate states. In 2021, Joe Biden announced Juneteenth to be marked as a federal holiday. Post offices across the country remain closed for retail transactions. This means there will be no regular residential or business mail deliveries. Priority Mail Express, meanwhile, remains available 365 days a year, which includes all the federal holidays. People can continue to avail UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services as usual. Also read: Juneteenth 2025: History, significance and what's open and closed on federal holiday According to The Wall Street Journal, the stock and bond markets will be closed on Thursday. Grocery stores like Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Harveys Supermarkets, Winn-Dixie, Meijer, Food Lion, Publix, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Lidl, Harris Teeter and Wegmans remain open, USA Today reported. The food chains operating as usual include McDonald's, Chipotle, Cava, Burger King, Firehouse Subs, Taco Bell, Waffle House, Cheesecake Factory, Jimmy John's, Wendy's and First Watch. Starbucks, Target and other restaurant and retail stores will be open, but their operating hours may vary by location. It is advised to check with your nearest outlet for the same. Yes. it was recognized as a federal holiday by then-US President Joe Biden in 2021. Banks will remain closed in the US on Thursday. Post offices in the US remain shut for retail transactions. This means, there will be no regular residential or business mail deliveries.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Juneteenth 2025: Will government offices remain open? Is it a federal holiday
As the United States prepares to mark Juneteenth this Thursday, June 19, 2025, several government services and public institutions across the country are set to observe closures in recognition of the nation's newest federal holiday. Known as 'America's Second Independence Day,' Juneteenth commemorates a historic moment in the nation's path toward freedom and justice. With federal offices and postal services largely closed, as per a USA Today report, the observance of Juneteenth brings attention not only to its historical roots but also to its growing recognition within the American civic calendar. What is Juneteenth and Why It Matters Juneteenth marks the day—June 19, 1865—when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived with 2,000 troops in Galveston Bay, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and announce the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans. This declaration came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. While celebrations of this moment have taken place in Black communities for over a century, Juneteenth was formally recognised as a federal holiday in 2021 following bipartisan legislation and presidential assent. It is now observed annually on June 19. Is Juneteenth a Federal Holiday? Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, non-essential federal government offices will remain closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Most federal employees are granted a paid day off, making it one of the 11 recognised federal holidays in the United States. Live Events Although the day is federally recognised, observances may vary at the state and local level. Public institutions such as schools, courts, and city halls often follow the federal calendar, though specific closures are determined by local jurisdictions. Public Services and Postal Operations Residents can expect a halt in most government-related services. Notably, the U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail deliveries and retail operations across the country on June 19. No standard residential or business mail will be distributed. However, Priority Mail Express services will continue uninterrupted, as they operate 365 days a year, including all federal holidays. Those with time-sensitive deliveries or government-related errands are advised to plan accordingly. U.S. Federal Holiday Calendar for the Remainder of 2025 In addition to June 19th holiday observances for Juneteenth, here is the remaining 2025 federal holiday calendar, as per OPM guidelines: Independence Day: Friday, July 4 Labor Day: Monday, September 1 Columbus Day: Monday, October 13 Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27 Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25 FAQs What is Juneteenth and why is it celebrated? Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for over 250,000 enslaved African Americans. It marks a significant moment in U.S. history and is often referred to as 'America's Second Independence Day.' Is Juneteenth a federal holiday in the United States? Yes. Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021 and is now one of the 11 official U.S. federal holidays. In 2025, it will be observed on Thursday, June 19.
