Photo illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios. Photos: Charly Triballeau/AFP, Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day collide Monday in a rare occurrence.
The big picture: Stock markets, banks, many schools and the U.S. Postal Service are closed for the federal holiday, but not because it’s the day President-elect Trump is sworn in as the 47th president.
Zoom in: It’s the third time Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day have overlapped.
- Former President Bill Clinton’s 1997 inauguration was the first, and former President Barack Obama’s 2013 ceremony was the second.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed?
Flashback: President Reagan signed a bill marking the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
- The holiday was observed for the first time in January 1986 but it was not observed in all states until 2000.
- King’s birthday was Jan. 15.
Inauguration Day 2025
Inauguration Day occurs every four years on Jan. 20.
- The 20th amendment to the Constitution states that the term of each elected president begins at noon on Jan. 20 of the year following the election.
- If Jan. 20 falls on a Sunday, the inauguration is held Jan. 21.
- Watch President-elect Trump’s inauguration here.
USPS closed, no mail for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
USPS and all post offices are closed with no deliveries Monday.
- Most UPS services are closed but limited locations are open.
- FedEx says it will have modified services on MLK Day, but its Freight, Office, Critical, and Logistics arms will remain open.
Banks, stock market closed MLK Day, stores open
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year, according to the stock market schedules.
- Most of the nation’s banks are closed Monday as they follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule.
- Expect to find the majority of stores and restaurants are open for the holiday and many will hold sales over the holiday weekend.
- Macy’s, Kohl’s, Big Lots and Party City liquidation sales continue for closing stores.
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