Juneteenth commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas were liberated — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Although it’s been celebrated for decades, Juneteenth didn’t become a federal holiday until 2021. Going forward, the federal holiday will be observed on June 19 each year — unless it falls on a weekend, then it’ll be observed on the closest working weekday.
“By making Juneteenth a federal holiday, all Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history, and celebrate progress, and grapple with the distance we’ve come but the distance we have to travel,” President Joseph Biden said at the signing in 2021.
Some state governments and private companies followed the federal government’s lead, giving their employees the day off to celebrate, reflect and spend time with loved ones. As a result, government buildings, public schools and select businesses will be closed on Monday, June 19.
Here’s everything you need to know about what is open and closed on Juneteenth this year.
Banks
Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan and TD Bank follow the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule, which states that they will be closed on Monday, June 19. ATM branches will operate normally, though.
Post offices and shipping services
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will be closed and mail won’t be delivered on Monday, June 19. “Beginning in 2022, the Postal Service will recognize the Juneteenth National Independence Day as a holiday eligible to full-time and part-time career employees,” the USPS wrote on their website.
UPS will be offering its usual pickup and delivery service on Monday, June 19. Their website notes that UPS Store® locations will be open.
Fedex will also be open for business.Per Fedex’s 2023 holiday schedule, all services will carry on as normal on Juneteenth.
Schools
If school’s not out for summer just yet, check their 2023 calendar to confirm if they’re keeping their doors closed on Monday, June 19. Since it’s a federal holiday, public schools are closed, but the same rules don’t apply to private schools and universities.
The DMV
DMVs across the country will be closed on Monday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.
The Stock Market
The stock market, including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, will be closed on Monday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The market closes at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, June 16 and won’t open until 9:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 20.
Stores
Even though Best Buy, Target and other national chains recognize Juneteenth as an annual company holiday, most of their retail locations will be open on Juneteenth. That means, you can shop and eat at your favorite places all weekend long.
As always, call local stores and restaurants ahead of time to confirm their holiday hours.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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