Is the stock market closed on Juneteenth? Will the post office be open?

By Charles Passy

Here's what is closed on Juneteenth this Wednesday, June 19, to observe the newest federal holiday.

As Americans prepare to mark Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., they should also be aware of the closings associated with the federal holiday. Those include a day off for financial markets.

The June 19 holiday marks the day in 1865 that federal troops came to Galveston, Texas, to free enslaved Black people in the state - almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. Not every state put an end to slavery following the signing.

Juneteenth has been observed in Black communities since as far back as the 19th century, and it became a Texas state holiday in 1980. Other states followed suit, and eventually, in 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth the 12th federal holiday.

"This is a day of profound weight and profound power, a day in which we remember the moral stain, the terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take," Biden said at the time.

Here are some details about what will be closed on Juneteenth.

Are financial markets open on June 19?

The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq are closed on June 19, as are U.S. bond markets. Trading will resume on the morning of June 20.

Does the post office deliver mail?

The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail on June 19. However, FedEx (FDX) will be operating on a normal schedule, as will UPS (UPS).

Are banks open?

Banks are generally closed, although you can still use an ATM or your banking app.

Are government offices open?

Since Juneteenth is a federal holiday, all nonessential federal government offices are closed, and the same generally applies to state government offices.

Are schools open?

Schools are typically closed on Juneteenth, but it's always best to check with your local school district.

-Charles Passy

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06-19-24 0737ET

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