U.S. Observes National Day of Mourning for Jimmy Carter

President Joe Biden declared Jan. 9 a national day of mourning following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100. The day coincides with Carter’s official state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and will see federal offices, the New York Stock Exchange, and Nasdaq closed in his honor.

The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq announced they would suspend trading on Jan. 9, marking the first time since December 2018, when former President George H. W. Bush died, that the markets have closed for a former president’s passing. Bond markets will operate on reduced hours, closing at 2 p.m. ET. Lynn Martin, president of NYSE Group, praised Carter’s legacy, stating, “Jimmy Carter, with humble roots as a farmer and family man, devoted his life to public service and defending our freedom.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts ordered the Supreme Court building closed on Jan. 9, though the court was not scheduled to be in session. The court will resume hearings the following day, including a high-profile case involving TikTok’s divestment from its Chinese parent company.

Federal offices will also close, and flags will fly at half-staff for 30 days. The United States Postal Service will suspend operations on Jan. 9, mirroring its actions during the national day of mourning for George H. W. Bush in 2018. While national days of mourning do not mandate private business closures, many organizations are choosing to honor Carter’s legacy.

Carter’s state funeral will include ceremonies in Georgia and Washington, D.C., beginning with a motorcade through his hometown of Plains, Georgia, and concluding with a private interment at the Carter residence. The public is invited to line the motorcade route and pay their respects during designated times.