President’s Day, also known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. The holiday was originally established in 1885 to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States, whose actual birthday is on February 22. Over time, President’s Day has come to be recognized as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
As the country observes Presidents Day today, Monday, this will be the last federal holiday until May. The holiday annually sees a mix of closures and openings across various sectors.
For those wondering about banking services, all bank branches will be closed in observance of the holiday. However, customers won’t be left in the lurch as ATMs, online banking platforms, and mobile banking apps remain accessible for routine banking needs. It’s advisable for consumers to visit their bank’s website or contact them directly to confirm specific closures. While banks may choose to operate on their own schedules, it’s common practice to halt transactions on a bank holiday, with processing resuming the following business day.
Presidents Day will also see closures at several other key institutions, including:
- The stock market, pausing trading activities for the day.
- Federal government offices, taking a break from administrative operations.
- Post offices, with no mail delivery or counter services.
- U.S. district courts, alongside most state and local courthouses, pausing legal proceedings.
- Most state and local government offices, shutting down non-essential services.
On the flip side, the holiday doesn’t mean everything grinds to a halt. Retail stores and restaurants are predominantly expected to stay open, providing consumers with shopping and dining options. However, operational hours may vary, and patrons are encouraged to verify the hours of specific businesses by checking their websites or reaching out directly.
