US NEWS
Why are banks and post offices closed today Monday, 2 January? Is today a federal holiday?
Because the usual federal holiday of New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday, Americans get the following day, 2 January, as holiday in lieu.
New Year’s Day is a federal holiday in the US meaning many shops and services will be closed. Usually this is observed on 1 January but a dating quirk means the holiday has been pushed back to today, 2 January.
It wouldn’t make sense to give government workers a day off on a Sunday when few would be working anyway. Generally, institutions like schools, banks, businesses and the US stock market will be closed for federal holidays.
At most banks, if you must do any transactions on 2 January you can use an ATM or online banking service. However, be aware that the Federal Reserve will be closed until the New Year, so any money transfers done between banks online will not be processed until the following business day.
No other holidays this year are on a Sunday so this is the only one which has been moved.
When are the other federal holidays in 2023?
New Year’s Day: Sunday, January 1 (to be observed on Monday, 2 January)
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, 16 January
Presidents’ Day: Monday, 20 February
Memorial Day: Monday, 29 May
Juneteenth: Friday, 16 June
Independence Day: Tuesday, 4 July
Labor Day: Monday, 4 September
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, 9 October
Veterans’ Day: Saturday, November 11 (to be observed on Friday, 10 November)
Thanksgiving: Thursday, 23 November
Christmas: Monday, 25 December