Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May, and this year it falls on May 26, prompting questions about if the United States Postal Service (USPS), the United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx will deliver mail and packages as usual.
The Context
Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday to honor fallen military personnel who died in service. Memorial Day was previously called Decoration Day and began during the Civil War. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May.
What to Know
Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday. Some employees won’t be at work, and most banks will be closed. In some instances, businesses might also close.
Is Mail Delivered on Memorial Day?
There will be no regular mail service on Memorial Day. Post offices also will be closed. Stamps can still be purchased at most grocery stores, pharmacies and convenient stores. Normal services resume May 27.
UPS, FedEx Deliveries
Most UPS services also won’t be available. When reached for comment, a spokesperson referred Newsweek to UPS’ 2025 holiday schedule, which is “set for all of 2025.”
UPS Domestic Ground, Air, and International services will not occur on May 26. Limited locations of UPS stores might be open, but UPS Forwarding will be closed. UPS Express Critical will be available.
A FedEx spokesperson also referred Newsweek to the company’s holiday calendar when reached for comment.
FedEx and FedEx Freight services will not operate on Memorial Day. Some offices might have limited hours, but FedEx Logistics will be closed. FedEx Custom Critical will be open.
What People Are Saying
USPS in a press release from Memorial Day 2024: “Although there will be no regular mail service, Priority Mail Express is delivered 365 days a year and will be delivered.”
The press release added: “For 24/7 access to most postal products and services, go to www.usps.com, where you can look up a ZIP Code, track a package, buy stamps, hold mail, print postage online, submit a change of address, schedule a package pickup and find USPS locations including self-service kiosks.”
The National Archives in a webpage about Memorial Day: “Memorial Day, initially referred to as Decoration Day, was observed by many communities after the Civil War, when the nation suffered more than 620,000 military deaths, roughly 2 percent of the total population at the time. John A. Logan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of Republic, chose May 30, 1868, as a day to decorate the graves of Union troops across the nation. From this beginning, Memorial Day is now designated as an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. Veterans Day, November 11, celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.”
What Happens Next
The next U.S. federal holiday is Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., on June 19. USPS services will be closed, but UPS and FedEx services will operate as normal.
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