What is Juneteenth, America’s newest federal holiday?
Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth is this Thursday, which means many government offices around the U.S. will be impacted by America’s youngest federal holiday.
Many departments at the local, state and federal levels will shutter their offices on Thursday, June 19 in observance of the holiday.
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.
The holiday honors the date 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.
Here’s what you need to know about government offices and buildings and whether or not they’ll be open on Juneteenth.
When is Juneteenth 2025?
Juneteenth is always celebrated on June 19. This year, the date falls on a Thursday.
Will government offices be closed on Juneteenth?
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Thursday, June 19 is designated as a federal holiday and non-essential government offices will be closed on the day.
Many public institutions at the local and state levels will follow suit, but it’s best to check with your local government on closures in your area.
2025 federal holiday calendar
Here’s the federal holiday calendar for the remainder of 2025, according to the OPM:
- Juneteenth: Thursday, June 19
- Independence Day: Friday, July 4
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 1
- Columbus Day: Monday, Oct. 13
- Veterans Day: Tuesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Christmas: Thursday, Dec. 25
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 Thursday, June 19, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.
Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
