Introduction
Juneteenth is an important holiday in the United States, celebrating the end of slavery and the emancipation of African Americans. It is observed on June 19th every year and is recognized as a federal holiday in the US. However, many people are still unsure whether or not the post office will be closed on Juneteenth 2023. In this article, we will explore whether or not the post office will be closed on Juneteenth in 2023.
Juneteenth History
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19th, 1865, and announced that all slaves were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it was not until the end of the Civil War that all slaves were freed. Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866 and is now recognized as a federal holiday in the US.
Post Office Closures on Federal Holidays
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a list of federal holidays on which it is closed. These holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. However, the question remains whether or not Juneteenth will be added to this list of federal holidays.
Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday
The US government passed a bill in 2021 to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. This means that it will be recognized as a holiday by all federal employees, including postal workers. However, the bill was passed only a few days before Juneteenth 2021, so it did not go into effect until 2023 . This leaves many people wondering whether or not the post office will be closed on Juneteenth 2023.
The Postal Service and Juneteenth 2023
As of now, it is unclear whether or not the post office will be closed on Juneteenth 2023. While Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, USPS has not yet updated its list of federal holidays to include Juneteenth. The Postal Service is not required to follow federal holidays, and it can choose to remain open if it sees fit. However, it is likely that the post office will follow the federal government’s lead and close on Juneteenth in 2023.
Conclusion
Juneteenth is an important holiday in the United States, celebrating the end of slavery and the emancipation of African Americans. While it is now recognized as a federal holiday, it is still unclear whether or not the post office will be closed on Juneteenth 2023. While the Postal Service is not required to follow federal holidays, it is likely that it will follow the federal government’s lead and close on Juneteenth in 2023. If you have any further questions, contact your local post office for more information.