.png)
Here is a rewritten version of the article, keeping the original meaning intact but updating the tone and structure for clarity and readability:What’s Open and Closed on Juneteenth 2025
By Ramishah Maruf, CNN
https://t.co/DbZ3zAsItIAs Americans prepare to celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025, many will take part in parades, festivals, and community gatherings to honor the day that marked the end of slavery in the United States.
Though Juneteenth only became a federal holiday in 2021, its historical and cultural importance has long been recognized—especially among Black communities. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that enslaved people were free. This came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which had limited reach in Confederate-held areas.
The Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 helped bring renewed focus to Juneteenth, and by 2023, at least 28 states and Washington, D.C., had officially recognized it as a public holiday. Despite political pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in recent years, Juneteenth remains a recognized federal holiday, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Here’s a look at what’s open and closed this Juneteenth:
Retail and Grocery Stores
Most large retailers and supermarkets will remain open on Juneteenth. This includes:
-
Walmart and Target – Open regular hours
-
Costco, Kroger, and other Kroger-affiliated grocery chains – Open
-
Walgreens – Open, though many pharmacies will be closed unless they operate 24/7
-
CVS – Open, but some locations may have reduced hours
It's a good idea to check with local stores and restaurants for any changes to their usual schedule.
Postal and Delivery Services
-
U.S. Postal Service – Closed; no mail delivery
-
UPS and FedEx – Operating as usual
Banks and Financial Markets
-
Stock markets – Closed; the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will not trade
-
Banks – Most major banks, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank, will be closed
-
ATMs and online banking – Remain accessible
Juneteenth is recognized as a banking holiday by the Federal Reserve.
Government Offices and Schools
-
Federal offices – Closed
-
Public schools – Most are already on summer break
While Juneteenth is a federal holiday, not all state and local governments observe it with a paid day off. According to a 2023 Pew Research report, 28 states and Washington, D.C., had granted state employees a paid holiday. Others may choose to recognize it with a day of observance or educational events.
For example, in West Virginia, Governor Patrick Morrisey’s administration has continued the trend of not giving state employees the day off. Instead, the governor encourages residents to take a moment to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth and the abolition of slavery.
Whether it’s a day of celebration, reflection, or rest, Juneteenth continues to grow in national awareness as a vital part of American history.