Memorial Day 2024: Are banks and post offices open on Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is an important date on the calendar, one of the 11 federal holidays celebrated in the United States. On this day we remember all those who have died serving their country in combat.

Every year, Memorial Day is commemorated on the last Monday of May, so this year, it falls on May 27. As it is a national holiday, government offices will be closed, but what about banks and post offices?

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Are banks and post offices open on Memorial Day?

In the case of banks, being private institutions, they decide whether to close or not. However, most banks follow the Federal Reserve calendar, so they usually close during official holidays.

Some of the banks that are closed on Monday, May 27 include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Chase, Citibank, U.S. Bank of America, SunTrust Bank, Capital One, Citizens Bank, Santander Bank and BBVA Compass.

Although most banks will be closed on Monday, basic transactions through online banking and ATMs will be available.

As for post offices, the United States Postal Service will be closed on Monday, May 27. DHL, Fedex and UPS offices will also be closed. Some services may be available in certain locations.

As with other federal holidays, the stock market, schools, libraries and other private businesses will close.

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The origin of Memorial Day

Originally, Memorial Day only honored those who died in the Civil War. This changed after the First World War, when the holiday began to honor all those who have died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971 after the United States Congress declared that it would be celebrated on the last Monday of May. On this day, the American flag is placed at half-mast, from dawn to noon. In addition, the president of the country usually visits the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.