Presidents Day, observed on the third Monday of February, falls on February 17 this year. Initially established to honor George Washington’s birthday, this federal holiday has evolved over the years. While it is commonly seen as a celebration of all U.S. presidents, it originally recognized only Washington’s birthday, which Congress officially designated on February 22, 1885. The Uniform Monday Holiday Law in 1971 shifted its observance to create a long weekend, placing it conveniently between Washington’s birthday and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12.
As we prepare for Presidents Day in 2025, here’s what to expect regarding closures and services:
– **Post Offices and Mail Delivery**: The U.S. Postal Service will be closed, meaning no mail will be delivered on this day. Normal service is expected to resume on Tuesday, February 18.
– **Banks**: Most major banks, including Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Chase, Truist, and CitiBank will be closed in observance of the holiday.
– **Shipping Services**: UPS and FedEx will continue their operations as usual. This means UPS Store locations and FedEx Office locations will be open for service. However, UPS SurePost and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries will face a one-day delay due to the USPS holiday closure.
– **Retail, Restaurants, and Grocery Stores**: Most restaurants, grocery stores, and retail establishments will remain open on Presidents Day, making it a great time for shopping or dining out.
– **Government Offices**: Government offices will be closed.
– **Stock Market**: Both the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange, along with U.S. bond markets, will be closed as well.
As we commemorate the legacy of our nation’s leaders, Presidents Day serves as a reminder of the democratic values we hold dear. It’s an opportunity for families and friends to come together and reflect on the contributions of past presidents, while also taking advantage of shopping and leisure activities.