For a lot of people, the concept of a holiday in the middle of June is still taking some getting used to.
Juneteenth just became a federal holiday in 2021—and while it took a little while, it’s also now an official holiday in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Many private businesses, however, still don’t observe it as a holiday, but a growing number, including Zillow, Nike and Lyft, now give workers the day off.
Looking to make sense of what is and isn’t open? We’ve got answers.
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865, the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. The Civil War had ended two months prior officially, but Galveston was a holdout and had to be secured. The day became known as Juneteenth and, for a long time, was only observed in Texas.
It began to spread over the years, though, and truly came to 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 each year. On years where it falls on a weekend day, it will be celebrated the following Monday.
Are banks open on Juneteenth?
They’re not. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, meaning most banks will be closed as well. You can, of course, still use ATM machines to get cash or put money into your account and online banking is operational, though nothing will be processed until tomorrow.
Will there be any mail delivery on Juneteenth?
There won’t be any from the U.S. Postal Service. UPS and FedEx, however, will operate normally.
Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?
Given the volatility the markets have seen this year, maybe a day off from trading is a good thing. The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and bond markets are all closed today. Their next scheduled holiday is July 4.
Are government offices open on Juneteenth?
Federal offices will be closed on June 19. And since it’s an official holiday in all states, local government workers will also have the day off.
Are any retail and grocery stores closed on Juneteenth?
Basically none. While some small businesses could be closed, no major retailer shuts down for this holiday, though many pay employees time-and-a-half for working on today – and some are trying to make Juneteenth a retail event.
