Wondering what's open and what's closed on the observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Americans are asking, "Is there mail delivery on Martin Luther King Day, and are the banks and DMV open or closed?" According to Huffington Post on Wednesday, Jan. 16,
"President Barack Obama has called for a National Day of Service to kick off the inauguration ceremonies and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a whole holiday weekend of service." Presidential inauguration preparations are already in full swing for this weekend's ceremonies in Washington DC. The two events just happen to fall on the same holiday.
Many people have the day off from work and are wondering if the post office is open on Martin Luther King Day, and not surprisingly, what events are happening on MLK Day?
Providence's Turn to 10.com reported Wednesday, Jan. 16,
"Rhode Island's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission is preparing to celebrate the slain civil rights leader's life. The commemoration will take place Monday at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Providence. It will include remarks by the commission, state and religious leaders and musical performances."
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday and is always observed on the third Monday in January. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 21. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management,
"Federal government closings are established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Generally, when a holiday falls on a non-workday—Saturday or Sunday—the federal government is closed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). State and local governments, including schools, are not required to follow OPM closure policies and may determined for themselves whether to close or remain open. Likewise, non-government businesses are free to make their own decisions to close or remain open for business, regardless of federal, state or local government closings."
Read the article 2013 U.S. Federal Holidays: List of OPM Government holidays, paid holidays off? for more details.
The U.S. Post Office is Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Rhode Island
According to the USPS Post Office, there is no mail delivery on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Rhode Island or the rest of the United States for that matter. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also a U.S. Postal Holiday (USPS), and all U.S. post offices are closed for business. This includes not only mail delivery to your Rhode Island residence or business, but also local post office lobby hours as well. Mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Read the article 2013 USPS Holidays: Post Office closures, no mail delivery on postal holidays for more information.
Are Banks and the DMV Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Because Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, Monday, Jan. 21 is also one of many bank holidays this year. Good news for TD Bank customers though! They're one of the banks that are open Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the greater Providence, Rhode Island area. TD Bank stores are open, and while Citizens Bank supermarket lobbies were open on Veteran's Day, their holiday calendar shows that they are closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21. Call first to be sure if your local bank branch is open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Rhode Island DMV Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Schedule
The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) offices are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Rhode Islanders will have to wait until Tuesday, Jan. 22 to register their cars and renew their licenses. Check here for Rhode Island DMV locations, hours, and schedule of DMV state holidays. Call first before you drive out.
Is Best Buy, Walmart, Target Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Absolutely! Rhode Island Walmart stores are definitely open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Some are open all day, others open at 7 a.m. Since federal employees, government officials, teachers, and many other employees throughout the state of Rhode Island have Martin Luther King Jr. Day off, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and most retail stores are counting on you to do some heavy duty holiday shopping with them on Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Sources: Time and Date; about.usps; Walmart; RI.gov; Huffington Post; Turn to 10
Photo Credit: Photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. giving a speech in 1964. Library of Congress. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection, Wikimedia Commons; Public Domain.
