Juneteenth Closings In NJ: Here Is What Will Be Closed And When

NEW JERSEY - The Thursday, June 19, federal holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when word finally reached the last enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended, and they were free. It was more than two months after the end of the Civil War, and about two and one-half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation,

Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration of the end of slavery in the on United States. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a federal holiday, the first since the addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

Some towns and cities are scaling back Juneteenth celebrations — or canceling them altogether — due to concerns about violating the Trump administration’s executive orders banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Trump’s executive orders don’t cancel the federal holiday — Congress created it and only Congress can repeal it — but civil rights groups contend the DEI bans are having a chilling effect on Juneteenth. They argue the bans undermine the principles of equality and equal opportunity that Juneteenth represents.

Organizers of some events across the country say they’re having trouble landing their usual corporate sponsorships from businesses and organizations working to comply with DEI executive orders. Many of these companies have contracts directly with the government or receive indirect federal funding through contracts with nonprofits that provide services, such as workplace diversity training. Or, they may simply have shifted priorities due to the politics of DEI.

• Related: How DEI Bans Are Affecting 2025 Juneteenth Celebrations

Because Juneteenth is an official U.S. holiday, banks, federal offices and post offices in New Jersey will be closed. But in New Jersey it isn't only celebrated on June 19. In 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation recognizing Juneteenth, commonly referred to also as "Freedom Day," as a state holiday that would give government employees a paid day off.

And in the Garden State that is on June 20 this year.

Here's a guide to help you celebrate and plan accordingly:

June 19

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.

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

Branches of Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, CitiBank, JPMorgan Chase and Capital One will be closed on the holiday, the companies confirmed to USA TODAY. Capital One Cafes will remain open.

Is UPS open on Juneteenth? Will packages be delivered?

UPS pickup and delivery services will be available on Juneteenth, according to the company's website. UPS Store locations will also be open. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

Is FedEx open on Juneteenth? Will packages be delivered?

FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open.

June 20

Courts

Closed (Emergent Matters Only)

Department of Motor Vehicles

Closed

NJ Transit

All routes will run on their regular weekday service scheduled, with the exception of bus Route 319.

Municipal/State

Many municipal government, county and state agencies will be closed Friday in observance of the holiday.

MORE FROM PATCH:

1. Juneteenth Festival To Bring Live Music To Jersey City
2. Juneteenth In Newark: Public Event, Closures, Service Changes
3. Free Black Americans Lived In NJ's Timbuctoo Decades Before Juneteenth — But The History Is Falling Apart