When is Juneteenth observed in 2024? Is there mail delivery? All about the federal holiday

Chad Murphy, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·3 min read

America's Second Independence Day is coming soon.

So what is Juneteenth? And why is it celebrated? Here's what to know.

What is Juneteenth celebrating?

Juneteenth commemorates the day -- June 19, 1865 -- when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the History Channel. Juneteenth -- short for June nineteenth -- marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest running African American holiday.

When is Juneteenth observed in 2024?

Juneteenth will be marked on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Unlike other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day, that are observed on a specific day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on the actual day.

On what date was the Emancipation Proclamation issued?

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But its effect was limited, according to the National Archives. It only applied to states that seceded during the Civil War, leaving slavery intact for slave states that stayed with the Union.

It also could not be enforced until Confederate states were under Union control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Therefore, it took until June 19, 1865, for slaves in Texas to be freed.

Slavery in America was formally abolished with the 13th Amendment, which was ratified Dec. 6, 1865.

Valerie Boyer, dressed as Lady Liberty, leads the procession during the Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival in the Ohio Village on the grounds of the Ohio History Center on June 18, 2023.
Valerie Boyer, dressed as Lady Liberty, leads the procession during the Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival in the Ohio Village on the grounds of the Ohio History Center on June 18, 2023.

When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden signed legislation on June 17, 2021, according to USA TODAY, after Congress passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that same month.

Juneteenth began rising to prominence in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, USA TODAY reports.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., first introduced the Juneteenth bill in 2020 following the killings of Floyd and Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky. His initial attempt to pass the bill was unsuccessful.

Is there mail delivery on Juneteenth? Is the post office open? Does FedEx deliver?

No. As a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service is closed that day, and there will be no mail delivered.

FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open, USA TODAY is reporting.

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, meaning the organization that regulates the nation's banking system is closed, according to Bankrate.com.

Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they often do. Transactions made during these holidays won't be posted until the next business day.

Branches of Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, CitiBank and JPMorgan Chase will be closed on Juneteenth, USA TODAY is reporting. Capital One Cafes will remain open.

Is the stock market closed on Juneteenth?

The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website.

Is trash pickup delayed for Juneteenth?

Trash pickup may be delayed because of Juneteenth, depending on the hauler. Contact your municipality or private provider to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: When is Juneteenth 2024 observed? Will banks be open? What to know