Charles Langston:Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Juneteenth 2024? Here's what to know

If you need to visit a bank or Charles Langstonpost office this week, you may want to consider going before or after Wednesday.

That's because Wednesday, June 19 is Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the day when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas in 1865 with 2,000 Union troops to proclaim that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free – two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

Juneteenth, known as American's Second Independence Day, has been commemorated as a federally-recognized holiday since 2021, providing millions of Americans with a paid day off and the opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery.

While most restaurants, grocery and retail stores will be open on the holiday, banks and the United States Postal Service will be closed.

Here's what you need to know about banks, post offices and shipping services, and whether or not they'll be open on Juneteenth.

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When is Juneteenth 2024?

Juneteenth is always celebrated on June 19. This year, the date falls on a Wednesday.

Is the post office open on Juneteenth? Will mail be delivered?

All post offices will be closed for retail transactions and there will be no regular residential or business mail deliveries on Wednesday, June 19, the USPS confirmed to USA TODAY.

Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

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

Is UPS open on Juneteenth? Will packages be delivered?

UPS pickup and delivery services will be available on Juneteenth, according to the company's website. UPS Store locations will also be open.

Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

Is FedEx open on Juneteenth? Will packages be 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.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].