Communities across New Jersey are observing Juneteenth today, marking the federal and state holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, honors June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the last enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and is also recognized as an official state holiday in New Jersey.

As a result, many government services and financial institutions are closed today throughout New Jersey.

Closed Today:

• New Jersey state government offices
• Most county and municipal government offices
• New Jersey courts and federal courts
• U.S. Post Offices and regular USPS mail delivery
• Most banks and credit unions
• The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq markets

Open Today:

• Most retail stores and shopping centers
• Grocery stores and supermarkets
• Restaurants
• UPS and FedEx delivery services
• Parks and recreational facilities in many municipalities

Residents planning to visit local government offices are encouraged to check with their municipality before heading out, as holiday schedules may vary. Most government offices and courts are expected to resume normal operations on Monday.