Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day: Here’s What’s Open and What’s Closed

Tomorrow, Thursday, is Thanksgiving in the United States, a national day of giving thanks for the harvest and the preceding year followed by a day of retail madness.

George Washington, at the urging of Congress, issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789 that designated Thursday, November 26 as a national day of thanks, noting that “both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the People of the United States, a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer.”

The proclamation, however, did not make Thanksgiving a recurring holiday and it was not until the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt that the tradition of observing Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November came about.

Meanwhile, the unofficial holiday of Black Friday – considered the start of the holiday shopping season – immediately follows Thanksgiving, resulting in a four-day weekend for many people.

Here’s what you need to know about what’s open for business and operating in the United States – and what isn’t – on Thursday and Friday.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES All Federal government offices are closed on Thursday, as will be almost all city and state offices.  Most will  reopen on Friday.

POST OFFICE No regular mail delivery except for Priority Mail Express, formerly known as Express Mail. Regular service resumes on Friday.

BANKS Financial institutions have the option to close.  Almost all will.  Banks will resume regular hours on Friday.

SCHOOLS Closed on Thursday and Friday in almost all jurisdictions.

FINANCIAL MARKETS The nation’s stock and bond markets will be closed on Thursday and reopen Friday for a short trading day.

TRANSPORTATION Most local transportation systems, such as buses, subways, and commuter rail systems, will operate on Sunday or holiday schedules Thursday with normal service on Friday.  Airports are open although most flyers will make it over the river and through the woods in advance of the holiday.  Expect traffic on the roads Thursday as people drive to grandmother’s house.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)