Juneteenth arrives this week, and since it's a federal holiday, some government offices will be closed.
Juneteeth is a day that commemorates when slavery finally ended in the United States, 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
President Joe Biden made the once-regional southern holidaya federal holidayin 2021.
While Wednesday, June 19, is a federal holiday, few businesses are closed for the day.
When is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 every year. In 2024, the holiday will fall on Wednesday.
When did Juneteenth become a national holiday?
Juneteenth wasofficially recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S.on June 17, 2021, when Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
"This will go down for me as one of the greatest honors I will have as president," Biden said.
Juneteenth, known asAmerican's Second Independence Day, provides millions of Americans with a paid day off and the opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery.
Why is Juneteenth celebrated on June 19?
That's because on June 19, in 1865, Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and demanded that the state’s 250,000-plus enslaved people be set free.
Until Granger's arrival, enslaved people in Galveston did not know about Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed two and a half years earlier.
"This pivotal event commemorated the birth of Black Independence Day, a celebration embraced by African Americans across the nation," according to the United States Capitol Historical Society.
Granger read aloud General Order No. 3, which said:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages."
Gen. Gordon Granger, General Order No. 3
Is Juneteenth a paid holiday in Florida?
For non-federal workers, no. Only about half of the states in the U.S. recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, although more are considering it.
Florida and more than two dozen other states, does not officially recognize the holiday and doesn’t have the day onofficial calendarsas a paid holiday, although some county commissions and city councils have declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices.
Florida state holidays: A complete list of Florida’s state holidays for 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantisissued a resolutionin 2020 calling upon Floridians to honor Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth is an important opportunity to honor the principles of the Declaration of Independence and celebrate the achievements and contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, in Florida and across our Nation," the resolution read.
What is open or closed for Juneteenth?
Most restaurants, grocery and retail stores will be open on the holiday. Banks, there won't be mail delivery 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 they'll be open on Wednesday, June 19.
Will there be mail delivery on Juneteenth? Is the post office open?
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.
Is Juneteenth a bank holiday?
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 the stock market closed for Juneteenth?
The NYSE, Nasdaq and bond markets are all fully closed on Wednesday for Juneteenth.
Is Publix, Winn-Dixie or Walmart open on Juneteenth? What about other grocery stores?
Publix will be open on June 19. The supermarket closes only for three holidays during the year: Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
All other grocery stores should be open, but always check with your favorite store if in doubt.
Are any businesses or restaurants closed for Juneteenth?
No. Most businesses remain open for the holiday.
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 also will 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 also will be open.
