Juneteenth became a federal holiday just three years ago, so there’s still a lot of confusion about its impact on people’s day-to-day lives.
If you’re planning to get any business done with your state or local government, you can pretty much rule that out, but when it comes to private businesses, it’s more of a mixed picture. Many companies, including Zillow, Nike and Lyft, give workers the day off, while others (like Amazon) have not, only encouraging workers to not make meetings today.
Looking to make sense of what is and isn’t open? We’ve got answers.
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865, two months after the Civil War officially ended, the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. The day became known as Juneteenth and, for a long time, it was only observed in Texas.
Over the years, though, the day of remembrance began to spread. It came to national prominence following the 2020 unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
When is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19. On years where it falls on a weekend day, it will be celebrated the following Monday.
Are banks open on Juneteenth?
No. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, meaning banks will be closed. Online banking and ATMs will still be operational, but deposits won’t be processed until the banks reopen.
Will there be any mail delivery on Juneteenth?
Because it is a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver any mail. UPS and FedEx, however, will operate normally.
Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?
Nope. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, and bond markets are all closed today. The next scheduled holiday is July 4.
Are government offices open on Juneteenth?
Federal offices will be closed on June 19. It’s also an official holiday in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia).
Are any retail and grocery stores closed on Juneteenth?
Not many. While some small businesses might observe the holiday, no major retailer shuts down—and a growing number are attempting to make Juneteenth a retail event.
