Memorial Day 2019 Post Office opening times: What time is the Post Office open?

Memorial Day is a national holiday which marks the unofficial start to the summer and is observed on the last Monday of May. Most Americans receive the day off from work in order to celebrate the national holiday. But for those hoping to spend today tackling their to-do list, is the post office open and if so what time?

Is the Post Office open?

The US Postal service follows a federal holiday structure which means Post Office buildings are closed and shipping services are not available.

Memorial Day is a holiday that the Post Office observes and therefore means the USPS will be closed today.

Although the national post office service is closed, some UPS and FedEx services may be open.

FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical services will remain open.

While, FedEx Office locations will operate on modified hours.

What is Memorial Day?

On May 27, Americans will celebrate Memorial Day in honour of the men and women who have lost their lives serving in the US military.

The nation commemorates the holiday with a service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, with the president typically laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Across the country, people wear red poppies in tribute to the fallen soldiers and participate in parades.

It first began after the Civil War when many towns, cities and communities held remembrance ceremonies to honour fallen soldiers.

The first national Memorial Day celebration took place in Arlington National Cemetery in 1868.

Almost 5,000 were reported to have attended the celebration to honour the dead with American flags placed on the graves of soldiers as a mark of respect.

This tradition lives on to this day and across the US, flags are flown at half-staff to honour the fallen soldiers.

What else is closed on Memorial Day?

Memorial Day will see most government offices and some private businesses closed to celebrate the national holiday.

This means that most banks, Tristate schools and stock markets will be closed today.

There are also some stores that are closed for the day including Costco Wholesale and Tijuana Flats.

Are shops open on Memorial Day?

Unlike Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving, most major retailers remain open on Monday so shoppers wishing to undertake retail therapy on Monday will be happy.

For each retailer, check with your local store to verify if and when it is open.

source: express.co.uk