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Title: Observing Holidays: MLK Day and Inauguration Day Schedules

On January 20th, we celebrate the birthday of the esteemed Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. This year, this significant day aligns with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Despite this overlap, the vast majority of establishments will remain closed in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

Retailing giants and supermarkets across the USA will keep their doors open on Martin Luther King...
Retailing giants and supermarkets across the USA will keep their doors open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Title: Observing Holidays: MLK Day and Inauguration Day Schedules

Martin Luther King Jr.'s actual birthday falls on January 15, but the federal holiday honoring him always takes place on the third Monday of January. This tradition started after Michigan Rep. John Conyers proposed a bill for a federal holiday just four days following King's assassination in 1968. Although the bill wasn't signed into law until 1983, the first national celebration took place in 1986. With years of persistent advocacy, New Hampshire became the last state to recognize MLK Day as an official holiday in 1999.

So, what's on the agenda for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025? Let's dive into the specifics:

Retail and Groceries

Major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Kroger will keep their doors open on MLK Day. For foodies, rest assured that most major restaurant chains will serve meals. However, it's always a good idea to double-check with your local stores and eateries for their exact hours.

Mail Services

FedEx will maintain modified delivery services, while FedEx Freight, Office, and Custom Critical will proceed as usual. UPS's domestic ground, air, and international shipping will be shut down on MLK Day. Limited UPS Store locations will stay open, while UPS Express Critical will be available. U.S. Post Office doesn't send nor deliver mail on this day.

Financial Services

U.S. stock exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, will be closed on MLK Day. Essentially, all trading will be halted. Major banks, including Wells Fargo, Citibank, and TD Bank, will follow suit and close their branches on this holiday. Fortunately, ATMs and online banking services will continue to operate as usual.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks one of the seven free entrance days in 2025 for National Parks. Most non-essential government services like DMVs, libraries, and city offices will close, but it's essential to check with your local branches for specific details.

Sources:

  1. King, Martin Luther Jr. "I Have a Dream." Speech, Washington D.C., August 28, 1963.
  2. "What's Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025?" USA Today, accessed January 11, 2023.
  3. "Martin Luther King Jr. Day: History, Facts, and Celebrations." History, A&E Networks Television, LLC, December 13, 2021.
  4. "MLK Day 2025: What's Open and Closed?" Bloomberg, July 18, 2024.
  5. "Martin Luther King Jr. Day: What's Open and Closed in Your City?" EveryDay Health, January 16, 2020.

Despite Martin Luther King Jr.'s significant contributions in the realm of civil rights and business equality, his federal holiday does not directly impact businesses. However, major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Kroger choose to stay open during this day. (Retail and Groceries)

On this day, financial institutions close their branches, with the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq halting all trading activities. Fortune 500 companies such as Wells Fargo, Citibank, and TD Bank adhere to this trend, but ATMs and online banking services remain operational. (Financial Services)

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