What is open and closed on Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day 2024?

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FILE – The U.S. flag flies over the Federal Reserve. (Photo by Valerie Plesch/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

The US federal government recognizes several Holidays every year, including Columbus Day on the second Monday in October.

And although it is not a federal holiday, Indigenous Peoples Day is also observed on the same day to celebrate the history and culture of Native Americans and to recognize the ongoing challenges they face.

According to the Pew Research Center, Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated in 17 states, including Washington, South Dakota and Maine, as well as Washington, DC.

What is Indigenous Peoples Day?

Columbus Day was established decades ago as a federal holiday to honor explorer Christopher Columbus' sighting of the so-called Americas in 1492.

But in 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed Indigenous Peoples Day for the first time ever as president — declaring in a statement that the day was meant to “honor America's first inhabitants and the tribal peoples who continue to thrive today.”

As more states and cities recognize this, the day has evolved from celebrating Columbus to one focused on the people whose lives and culture were forever changed by colonialism.

Indigenous Peoples Day is usually combined with Columbus Day or replaces the federal holiday entirely. Dozens of cities and school systems also observe Indigenous Peoples Day.

Are the Post Office, UPS and FedEx open on Columbus Day?

The US Postal Service celebrates Columbus Day as a public holidayThis means that there is no regular postal delivery. The retail branches are also closed.

In the meantime, UPS is open And Also FedEx, with modified service for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy.

Are banks open on Columbus Day?

The Federal Reserve is closed on Columbus Day, which means the vast majority of banks will also remain closed that day.

However, some banks are open – like Chase, what is online that “branches will be open; however, this day will be treated as a holiday for the purposes of online transactions.”

Is the stock market open on Columbus Day?

The stock exchange is open. The New York Stock Exchange doesn't observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day as a public holiday. Nasdaq is not watching it too.