Juneteenth National Independence Day is the newest federal holiday, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S. In 2021, it became the 11th permanent federal holiday added to the calendar. U.S. federal government offices are closed on June 19, and most federal employees have the day off. This holiday is also observed by most state and local governments, which are also likely to close most of their offices and give their workers the day off.
This year, Juneteenth falls on a Friday, giving Americans a three-day holiday weekend to commemorate the holiday. Financial markets and many businesses will also be closed.
Here’s a closer look at what’s open and what’s closed this Juneteenth.
What’s closed on Juneteenth?
Federal, state, and city government offices and buildings are typically closed on Juneteenth, as are federal courts.
The Federal Reserve System will be closed, along with most banks. ATMs and online banking will remain usabe.
The U.S. Postal Service will be closed and will not deliver mail on the holiday.
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Some financial markets
The stock and bond markets will be closed on Memorial Day, including the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market. The bond market will also close on Juneteenth, according to Sifma.
However, currency markets will be open, although trading is expected to be light since banks are closed. Digital asset exchanges will also remain open, and cryptocurrencies will remain tradable.
As Juneteenth celebrations occur nationwide, most government offices and financial markets will be closed for the day.
What’s open on Memorial Day 2026?
While most government offices nationwide are closed for Juneteenth, many businesses will be open and operating on their regular hours.
Major retail chains
Many retailers will be open during the holiday, and are likely to operate regular hours.
Costco doesn’t count Juneteenth among the seven federal holidays it observes, and stores will be open. Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are among the major retailers whose doors will be open.
Major grocery chains
Trader Joe’s, Kroger’s, and Publix are among the grocery chains that will be open on Juneteenth.
Delivery companies
While the United States Postal Service will be on holiday, private delivery services will be available. FedEx and UPS will be operating normal hours.
Public transportation
Mass transit in most major metropolitan areas will operate on regular schedules.
The MTA, which operates the subways and buses in New York City, the biggest city in America, will operate on a regular weekday schedule, and transport workers will be on a paid holiday, which usually means pay will be more than for regular hours.
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Juneteenth: Background and history
Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, by President Joseph Biden. It is the newest federal holiday. Before its addition, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday was the most recently created federal holiday, added in 1983.
Juneteenth commemorates the event that informed people of the abolition of slavery, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. On June 19, 1865 — two months after the official end of the Civil War — U.S. Major- General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which notified the people of Texas that all enslaved people were free.
The word Juneteenth is a combination of June and 19th, reflecting the commemoration of that date. The day is also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
Juneteenth has been commemorated by Black communities in Texas since 1866, and Texas became the first state to make it an official holiday starting in 1980. All 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.
A bill was first introduced into U.S. legislation in 1996, to recognize the end of slavery in the U.S., and other bills followed until the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was passed in 2021.
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