Martin Luther King Jr. Day History
A comprehensive look at the hard-fought campaign to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday and its transformation into a national day of service.
Banks and post offices will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
After President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Act into law on November 2, 1983, the third Monday in January became a federal holiday to honor the civil rights leader. The day is designated as a National Day of Service to remember the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, President Reagan said at the bill signing ceremony that “Martin Luther King Jr. was the preeminent nonviolent commander that made America a more democratic nation, a more just nation, and a more peaceful nation.”
Most restaurants, grocery stores and retail stores will remain open on Monday, but banks, post offices and stock markets will not.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s open and what’s closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026.
When is MLK Day in 2026?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 19th of this year.
Will the post office be open on MLK Day? Will my mail be delivered?
U.S. Postal Service post offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, and no mail will be delivered that day, the USPS told USA TODAY. USPS will resume normal operations on Tuesday, January 20th.
Are banks open on MLK Day?
Branches of Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, PNC, US Bank, Wells Fargo and others will close on Monday, January 19, the companies confirmed to USA TODAY.
Are delivery services like UPS and FedEx open on MLK Day?
UPS pickup and delivery services will be unavailable on Monday, January 19, and UPS Store locations may be closed, according to the company’s website. Please check with your local store for specific business hours.
According to the company, UPS Express Critical (powered by Marken) is available 365 days a year. For more information, call 1-800-714-8779 or visit marken.com.
Select FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available starting January 19, and FedEx office locations will also be open. Please check with your local store for specific business hours.
FedEx Custom Critical is also available 365 days a year. For more information, call 1-800-762-3787.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
