President’s Day: What’s Open and Closed Today

Today marks President's Day in the United States, a holiday originally established to honor George Washington, the country’s first president. Contrary to popular belief, President’s Day is technically known as Washington's Birthday and falls on the third Monday of February. It was later broadened to include other presidential figures such as Abraham Lincoln.

The holiday allows for a variety of interpretations, with some states like Illinois, Iowa, and Massachusetts still referring to it as Washington’s Birthday. Interestingly, Virginia celebrates it as George Washington Day, showcasing the diverse naming conventions around the nation.

Financial institutions, including banks, are generally closed on President’s Day, but ATMs and online services remain operational for basic transactions. In terms of mail services, USPS halts its deliveries for the day, while UPS and FedEx continue their operations as usual.

Key financial markets like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed on this federal holiday, with their next significant closure scheduled for Good Friday in March. Additionally, federal, state, and local government offices take the day off, affecting services such as schools, DMV offices, and courthouses.

Surprisingly, major retailers do not entirely shut down for President’s Day and often capitalize on the holiday to offer special sales and discounts. Among them are popular chains like Target and Walmart, which remain open for business despite the commemorative nature of the day.