JUNETEENTH, a newly recognized federal holiday, is just days away, and Americans may see a disruption to key services as a result.
Dubbed America’s Second Independence Day, the holiday will impact both banking and mailing services across the country.
Juneteenth, which falls this Thursday, celebrates the end of slavery in the US[/caption]
A number of key services and institutions will shut down for 24 hours in honor of Juneteenth[/caption]
Juneteenth was established as a federally-recognized holiday in 2021 thanks to legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Joe Biden.
The holiday, celebrated every year on June 19, falls this Thursday, and millions of Americans will receive a paid day off in honor of the dissolution of slavery.
The holiday celebrates the day that over 250,000 enslaved Black people learned that they were finally free.
Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with 2,000 Union troops and made the announcement.
The celebratory day came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
In honor of Juneteenth this year, most national banks and the United States Postal Service will shut down for 24 hours.
What is Juneteenth?
Also called Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day, the holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the US.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, declared that all slaves in the Confederate states were free.
However, enslaved African Americans in Texas weren’t informed of the executive order until two years later.
On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced General Order Number 3, which enforced the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth marks the day the last slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom, symbolizing the end of slavery in the US.
It is considered the “Black Independence Day” and is celebrated similarly to July 4th.
Many commemorate the date with gatherings, picnics, and parties with loved ones.
Those looking to mail a package or make a bank transaction in the coming days may want to plan ahead for the service disruptions.
Here is what Americans need to know about the availability of banks, post offices, and shipping services this Thursday.
ARE BANKS OPEN ON JUNETEENTH?
The Federal Reserve Bank regulates the US banking system and determines when banking services are available to Americans.
Because the central bank closes on all national holidays, most popular banks and credit unions do the same.
As a result, a number of banking giants will close their doors for 24 hours in honor of the upcoming holiday.
For example, Wells Fargo is planning to shutter its 5,600 branches nationwide on Thursday to commemorate Juneteenth.
Chase users will likewise see the bank’s over 4,700 US branches temporarily close down.
CitiBank, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, and Capital One will also turn off their lights in honor of the federal holiday, although Capital One Cafes will remain open.
What is closed on Juneteenth?
The following will be closed on Juneteenth, although it is best to check with your local institution:
- Banks
- Public schools
- Select college campuses
- Wall Street
- The Stock Market
- Local gyms
- State courts
- Public pools
- State offices
- Trash and recycling collection
- Municipal Offices
- The DMV
- Select stores/restaurants
Most local bank branches will also shutter on Thursday.
Americans are encouraged to plan ahead for the closures, although they will still be able to access online banking services and ATMs on the holiday.
ARE POSTAL SERVICES AVAILABLE ON JUNETEENTH?
If you are hoping to mail a package this week, be sure to do so before Thursday rolls around.
All USPS post offices will be temporarily unavailable for retail transactions on June 19.
There will also be no regular residential or business mail deliveries on the federal holiday, although Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year.
However, UPS offices will stay open this Thursday, and pickup and delivery services will operate as normal on the federal holiday.
FedEx will also keep its locations open on Juneteenth as well as its pickup and delivery services.
Be sure to check with your local store for its specific hours on Thursday.
While many banks are temporarily closing their doors on June 19, a handful are permanently shutting down due to industry-wide challenges.
For example, Bank of America confirmed it will permanently close down 19 locations in 2025 – see the full list of branches gone for good.
Plus, another trusted bank confirmed it shut down 13 locations on the same day – see if your branch is affected.
