Memorial Day, a federally recognized holiday observed nationwide on the last Monday in May, honors the brave men and women who have died while serving in the United States military. This year the holiday falls on May 29.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday was first commemorated following the Civil War, and it became an official federal holiday in 1971. Visiting memorials, attending parades, and decorating cemeteries are traditional activities for some families who observe the holiday.
Besides honoring those who served in the military, Memorial Day also provides an opportunity for family and friends to come together and enjoy picnics or cookouts. It is regarded by many as the unofficial start of summer and marks the opening day for public pools in many areas.
In observance of the holiday, all government offices and services will be closed on Monday, including the U.S. Postal Service, so there will be no mail delivery that day.
UPS and FedEx will also be closed, with the exception of UPS Critical and FedEx Custom Critical delivery services.
The Federal Reserve Bank will be closed on May 29, so most major banking institutions, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC Bank, and Chase, will follow suit and remain closed over the holiday. However, ATMs will usually be available for use at most banking locations.
On the other hand, most retailers, grocery stores, and pharmacies will be open for business on Memorial Day, with many hosting Memorial Day sales.
Stores such as Aldi, CVS, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, Tom Thumb, Target, Krogers, and Albertsons traditionally remain open, but it may be a good idea to check with the store first before heading out to shop.
Big-box retailer Costco is one of the few retailers bucking the trend, opting to remain closed over the holiday.