Is Jan 20 a federal holiday?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: July 21, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
Yes, January 20 can be a federal holiday, but it depends on the year.
Is January the 20th a federal holiday?
Federal employees in the Washington, DC, area are entitled to a holiday on the day a President is inaugurated on January 20th for each fourth year after 1965. Only employees scheduled to work on Saturday, January 20th, may be excused from duty and provided with paid holiday time off.
Are banks closed Monday for MLK Day?
Banks will also close for MLK Day. Their ATMs and online services should still be accessible, however. Both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ will have the day off. Other services in your community may be taking the day off, including garbage and recycling pickup, libraries, and schools.
Why is January 20 a federal holiday?
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The legislation to recognize Martin Luther King Jr.
Is Martin Luther King Day still a federal holiday?
Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day remains an active federal holiday in 2026, observed on the third Monday of January (January 19, 2026). It is a paid holiday for federal employees, and as a Federal Reserve bank holiday, most banks and government offices are closed, with no mail delivery.
20th January 1986: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day first observed as a federal holiday
Is Trump removing Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth?
Donald Trump did not remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth as official federal holidays. Federal holidays are established by an act of Congress and cannot be revoked by a president.
Is there a difference between a federal holiday and a national holiday?
A federal holiday is an official, government-designated day off for federal employees and the closure of non-essential government services. A national holiday, on the other hand, is a cultural observance widely celebrated across the country, but it lacks any legal mandate for government closures or mandatory paid time off.
Does everyone get Inauguration Day off?
If you work in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, you will have 1 additional holiday, Inauguration Day. This holiday falls on January 20th of every 4th year. If you are working in Washington on this day (even if you normally are assigned elsewhere), it will be a holiday. If you are on travel elsewhere, it will not.
What is open and closed on MLK Day?
MLK Day is an official holiday honoring the civil rights leader's birthday and legacy, so federal and state government offices are closed. Courts and most schools are also closed.
Why is Jan 20 a bank holiday?
The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later on January 20, 1986.
What is the $3000 rule for banks?
The $3,000 rule—mandated by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)—requires banks and financial institutions to verify and record specific details when a customer purchases certain monetary instruments using physical cash.
Is Costco closed on MLK Day?
While Costco warehouses are closed on many major holidays throughout the year, stores will remain open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Is there mail delivery on Monday, January 20th?
The USPS announced that post offices will be closed on Monday in observance of MLK Day. Besides no mail delivery, there will also be no caller service or Post Office Box service. All services will resume on Tuesday, January 20.
Are banks closed for Martin Luther King's holiday?
Are banks open on Martin Luther King Day? Typically not. Banks generally close on the same days as the Federal Reserve, which follows the federal holiday schedule above in 2026.
Are banks closed on Monday, Jan 19?
Do we get mail? Banks and post offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Is Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday in 2026?
Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in 2026, observed on Monday, January 19, 2026. As a federal holiday, government offices, federal agencies, and many banks will be closed, and it is designated as a national day of service.
Is Jan 20 always the Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day is generally held on January 20, but it is moved to January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday. In that scenario, the president takes the oath of office privately on the 20th and participates in the public ceremony the next day.
Is Martin Luther King's holiday a federal holiday?
Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an official federal holiday. It is observed annually on the third Monday in January.
Do we have work on Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day, while not a federal holiday, is observed as a holiday by federal employees who would be working in the "Inauguration Day Area" and who are regularly scheduled to perform non-overtime work on Inauguration Day.
Does a federal holiday mean no work?
While government workers are generally entitled to time off for federal holidays, private employers are not legally required to do so. For private sector employees, time off on federal holidays depends on the individual employer's policies, employment contracts, and, if applicable, collective bargaining agreements.
What holiday is not a federal holiday?
Common, non-federal holidays in the U.S. include Good Friday, Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day. While these are widely celebrated, they are not days when government offices close. Other examples include Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and state-specific observances like Patriots' Day (MA/ME) or Cesar Chavez Day (CA).
What are the stupidest national days?
The "dumbest" national days are the thousands of unofficial, made-up "National [Thing] Days". Because anyone can declare one, the calendar is flooded with pointless, highly specific, and absurd commercial creations.
What were MLK's last words before he died?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s very last words, spoken just moments before he was assassinated on April 4, 1968, were a request to musician Ben Branch: "Precious Lord, take my hand. Play 'Precious Lord' for me tonight. Play it real pretty."
What two grades did MLK skip?
Martin Luther King Jr. skipped the 9th and 12th grades (some sources indicate 9th and 11th). Due to his academic acceleration, he entered Morehouse College at the age of 15 in 1944 without formally graduating from high school.
What color should you wear on Juneteenth?
Outside of the official Juneteenth flag, you may see many people with red, black, and green (and sometimes yellow) clothes and flags. These are adapted from the Pan-African flag and are used to symbolize Black freedom and unification, with each color providing unique symbolism.