June 19th – known as Juneteenth – is a federal holiday. That means government offices will be closed, as will banks and the post office. Major retailers will remain open, however.
Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday, marked each year since 2021. The day commemorates when Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas in 1865 to announce to more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state they were free.
The day’s name is in honor of the date of Granger’s announcement and first appeared around 1903. It is also known as African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.
READ MORE: Wednesday is a federal holiday. What you should know about Juneteenth (June 19, 2024)
Here’s a look at what’s open and what’s closed:
Federal offices and courts – Closed
State offices and courts -Gov. Kay Ivey has declared Juneteenth a holiday for state workers, so offices will be closed. It has not been declared a permanent holiday in the state, a process that requires legislative approval.
Municipal and county offices – Most are closed but check ahead.
U.S. Post offices – The U.S. Post office is closed. Mail will not run.
FedEx, UPS– FedEx and UPS will be on normal schedules
Banks – Most banks are closed
Financial markets – New York Stock Exchange will be closed. Nasdaq trading and bond markets also will be closed.
Grocery stores – Most grocery stores will remain on regular hourly schedules. Shoppers should ultimately check with their local supermarket for specific information on opening and closing hours, as it can vary by location.
Walmart and Target – Both Walmart and Target are open regular hours on Juneteenth, as are all other major retailers.
Trash pickup – Most cities will change trash pickup schedules for Juneteenth. Check with your provider.