Americans will once again pay tribute to the late civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. this Monday.
MLK Day, as the holiday is often called, commemorates the life and legacy of King, who was born on Jan. 15, 1929, and became a key voice in the fight for racial justice. The day was made a federal holiday in 1983 and was first observed in 1986.
The holiday is always celebrated on the third Monday in January, which this year falls on Jan. 16. That means there will be many closings of government offices, businesses and schools. U.S. stock exchanges will also be closed.
Here are some additional details about what to expect.
Mail and packages
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not be delivering mail on Monday. FedEx
FDX,
will offer modified service in some instances. UPS
UPS,
will operate fully for the most part and its UPS store locations will be open.
Banks
Banks are generally closed, according to GoBankingRates.com, though you can always visit an ATM or use your banking app.
Government offices
Since MLK Day is indeed a federal holiday, all non-essential federal government offices are closed (and the same generally applies to state government offices).
Schools
Schools are typically closed on MLK Day, though there have been exceptions. It’s always best to check with your local school district.
Stores
Stores are likely to be open on MLK Day — and many use the occasion to promote sales.