The USPS blackout on June 19 is officially confirmed, and Americans better start planning around it now.
The United States Postal Service has announced that all its branches will shut down for 24 hours, again, causing major disruptions across the country. This new USPS blackout lines up with Juneteenth, which means there’ll be no mail delivery, no pick-ups, nothing from the nation’s primary mail service for an entire day.
FedEx, however, is not taking a day off. In fact, it’s capitalizing on the situation, keeping FedEx Delivery, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Office services running like normal. While USPS steps aside, FedEx swoops in and grabs all the business. This pattern has become a bit of a trend recently, especially as holidays hit hard and fast throughout the year. Americans already dealt with service halts during Memorial Day, and now Juneteenth’s coming in hot to shake things up again.
This isn’t just about mail. Banks are jumping in too. Big names like Chase and Wells Fargo are planning to close for Juneteenth. That means no banking, no in-person services, and likely longer wait times for any kind of customer support. So yeah, it’s going to get messy.
The USPS blackout on June 19 ties into a growing list of federal holidays that are increasingly affecting everyday life. Since President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into federal law in 2021, it’s become one of the major recognized days where services across the board just stop. It’s not just USPS, you can expect state courts, city offices, Social Security buildings, and even the DMV to shut their doors too.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. Specifically, it honors the moment when the last enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It originated in Galveston, Texas, back in 1865 and slowly gained traction across the country. By 2008, almost half the states had some kind of recognition for it, but it wasn’t until 2021 that it hit the federal holiday list. Now, 27 states offer paid time off for it.
So what happens when a major federal holiday like this lands? Chaos, at least temporarily. Aside from USPS and the big banks taking the day off, Wall Street, the stock market, public schools, some gyms, and even trash collection services might be paused depending on where you live.
While the USPS blackout on June 19 is making headlines, not everyone’s thrilled about the holiday. It’s sparked political debates too. Conservative voices like Candace Owens have dismissed the holiday entirely, calling it “lame” and accusing Democrats of trying to “repackage segregation.” But even former President Donald Trump claimed he helped bring visibility to Juneteenth, stating he “did something good” by shining a light on the date.
Despite the chaos it brings, Juneteenth isn’t all bad news. For many, it’s a time for barbecues, family reunions, parades, and cultural events. Schools, libraries, and museums often host educational programs to mark the occasion, focusing on African American history and celebrating progress.
But don’t be fooled, while you’re out enjoying a hot dog or catching a parade, that package you were waiting on? It’s not showing up. That license renewal at the DMV? Not happening. That check deposit at your bank? Forget it until at least June 20. The USPS blackout on June 19 is total and affects everyone, especially if you didn’t plan ahead.
And while FedEx might be stepping in to save the day, not everyone uses it. USPS still handles a massive volume of day-to-day mail, meaning delays, backups, and frustrated customers are inevitable.
Moral of the story? If you’ve got things to ship, errands to run, or paperwork to file, do it before June 19 hits. Because the USPS blackout on June 19 isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it’s a 24-hour shutdown with ripple effects that’ll definitely be felt across the country.
What’s Open and Closed on Juneteenth
| Service/Facility | Status on June 19 (Juneteenth) |
|---|---|
| USPS (Post Offices) | Closed (No mail or pick-ups) |
| FedEx | Open (All major services running) |
| UPS | Open (Check local for variation) |
| Banks (Chase, Wells Fargo) | Closed |
| Stock Market | Closed |
| Public Schools | Closed (Check your district) |
| DMV | Closed |
| Social Security Offices | Closed |
| City/State Courts | Closed |
| Municipal Offices | Closed |
| Trash & Recycling | Varies by city |
| Gyms | Varies by chain |
| Restaurants/Retail | Mixed (Some open, some closed) |
