Is Juneteenth a holiday in Mississippi? Who’s off, what’s closed today? – The Clarion-Ledger

Is Juneteenth still a federal holiday in 2026? Will it mean a long weekend for Mississippi workers? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
President Donald Trump has made some changes to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. But it’s still on the national calendar. That doesn’t mean every state celebrates.
This year, the president removed Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day from the list of free national park entry days. He added Flag Day, June 14, which is also his birthday, to the list.
In 2025, Trump vowed to end DEI in the government. There was confusion about whether Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery, would stay on the federal calendar. Congress hasn’t changed it.
Will workers get the day off in 2026? Will the Magnolia State observe it this year? Here’s what to know about Juneteenth.
This year, Juneteenth falls on Friday, June 19.
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Juneteenth, known as America’s Second Independence Day, has been as a federal recognized holiday since 2021, providing millions of Americans with a paid day off and the opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery.
The holiday commemorates the day when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas in 1865 with 2,000 Union troops to proclaim that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. It was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
Juneteenth is observed on June 19 and doesn’t change dates. Memorial Day, for example, is always on the last Monday in May.
If June 19 falls on a Saturday, workers may get Friday off. If it falls on a Sunday, they may get Monday off.
All post offices will be closed for retail transactions and there will be no regular residential or business mail deliveries on Friday, June 19, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.
Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.
Since Juneteenth is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank, among others, will be closed on June 19.
It is always a good idea to check with your local bank branch for specific holiday hours.
UPS pickup and delivery services will be available on Juneteenth, according to the company’s website. UPS Store locations will also be open. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.
FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company’s website. FedEx Office locations will also be open.
No. Mississippi does not honor Juneteenth as a state holiday, though it is a federal holiday.
Multiple bills to add Juneteenth to the state calendar have been proposed, but none were successful.
Mississippi does, however, officially celebrate multiple Confederate holidays.
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Local community groups around the Magnolia State will hold Juneteenth events, though not all are on the day of. Some are scheduled for the weekend before or a few days after.
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. Eight create three-day weekends.
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2026 holidays are:
According to the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, there are 10 paid holidays for state agencies. Listed holidays:
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatodayco.com.

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