On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the United States will observe Juneteenth, the nation’s newest federal holiday, marking the end of slavery and celebrating freedom. Known as America’s "second Independence Day," Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger and approximately 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were free, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Since becoming a federally recognized holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has been increasingly embraced across the country, with many states and institutions granting a paid day off. However, observance varies, and while government offices and financial markets will close, most retailers and private delivery services will remain open.
Financial markets will pause their activities on June 19, 2025, as both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will be closed in observance of Juneteenth. This closure is part of the official holiday calendar followed by U.S. financial markets, making it one of the ten weekday holidays for stock exchanges in 2025. Markets will resume trading on Friday, June 20. Following this holiday, the next stock market closure will be on July 4, Independence Day.
Major banks, including Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, TD Bank, PNC, Truist, CitiBank, JPMorgan Chase, and Capital One, will also observe the holiday by closing their branches nationwide. However, customers can still access ATMs and online banking platforms, although some transactions may experience delays due to the holiday. Notably, Capital One Cafes will remain open, offering some in-person services despite the general closure of bank branches.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will halt all retail operations and regular mail deliveries on Juneteenth, with no residential or business mail service available on June 19. Priority Mail Express, however, will continue to operate as it does year-round, including on federal holidays. In contrast, private carriers such as UPS and FedEx will maintain normal operations. Both UPS and FedEx will provide pickup and delivery services, and their retail locations will be open, allowing consumers and businesses to send and receive packages without interruption.
Government offices at the federal, state, and local levels will largely be closed on Juneteenth. This includes departments such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will not offer services on June 19. Pew Research has found that by 2023, at least 28 states were granting government employees a paid day off for Juneteenth, reflecting the holiday’s growing acceptance across the nation.
For schools, many public institutions will already be on summer break by mid-June. However, for those still in session, Juneteenth will be observed as a holiday, giving students and staff the day off. This observance aligns with the broader recognition of Juneteenth as an important day to reflect on the nation’s history and progress.
Retailers will mostly remain open on June 19, 2025. Major chains such as Walmart, Target, Costco, and Kroger will operate under normal hours, providing shopping opportunities for consumers. Drugstores such as Walgreens and CVS will also be open, although some pharmacies may reduce their hours. Other retailers including Aldi, Dollar General, Home Depot, HomeGoods, IKEA, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, Starbucks, Stop & Shop, and Wegmans will welcome customers as usual.
Fast-food chains have taken varied approaches to the holiday. Chick-fil-A locations are generally open, though individual restaurant owners may choose to close in observance of Juneteenth. McDonald's and Burger King have confirmed they will remain open, ensuring that customers can enjoy their meals without disruption on the holiday.
Juneteenth’s journey to becoming a federal holiday began decades ago, with Texas leading the way as the first state to officially recognize the day in 1979. The holiday’s significance was nationally acknowledged when the U.S. Congress passed a resolution in June 2021, which President Joe Biden signed into law on June 17 of that year. This milestone formalized Juneteenth as a federal holiday, underscoring its importance in American history and culture.
The holiday is marked by a variety of community events, including parades, festivals, concerts, family gatherings, and church services. These celebrations honor the resilience and achievements of Black Americans and serve as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice.
While Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, it is important to note that individual employers determine whether employees receive a paid day off or additional compensation for working on this day. This means that not all workers will necessarily have the day off, depending on their employer’s policies.
The 2025 federal holiday calendar also includes other significant dates such as New Year’s Day on January 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, Presidents’ Day on February 17, Memorial Day on May 26, Independence Day on July 4, Labor Day on September 1, Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also observed as Columbus Day) on October 13, Veterans Day on November 11, Thanksgiving Day on November 27, and Christmas Day on December 25.
As Americans prepare to observe Juneteenth this year, many will pause to reflect on the profound historical significance of the day. It is a moment to honor freedom, acknowledge the struggles endured, and celebrate the progress made. From closed stock markets and banks to open retailers and delivery services, the country’s varied observance of Juneteenth reflects both its historical weight and its evolving role in American society.
