With Martin Luther King Jr. weekend events and ceremonies beginning nationwide Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, many Americans are also wondering, "Is the post office open or closed on Martin Luther King Day?" and "Is there mail delivery on Martin Luther King Day?" On Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, WhiteHouse.gov announced President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation declaring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2013 a federal holiday,
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2013, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King and to visit www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country."
On Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, Yahoo News reported President Barack Obama was encouraging Americans to get out and help serve,
"Each January as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are called not just to pause and reflect, but to act. That’s why the day before my first inauguration, my family and I joined folks around the country for the National Day of Service. It was one of the highlights of our weekend, and a fitting way to honor a man who lived his life in loving service to others. This Saturday, we’re continuing that tradition with another National Day of Service. Michelle, the girls and I will be volunteering in our community, and we’re asking all Americans to join us."
Many people have the weekend off from work and are wondering if the post office is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and not surprisingly, what events are happening on MLK Day in the United States. Presidential inauguration preparations are already in full swing for this weekend's ceremonies in Washington DC.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2013
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an official United States federal holiday celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an American civil rights leader. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January.
U.S. Post Office is Closed in R.I. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2013
According to the USPS Post Office, there is no United States mail delivery on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also a U.S. postal holiday, 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 we
Providence, Rhode Island area postal customers have until the close of business on Saturday, Jan. 20 to send mail and packages, or to pick up mail at their local post office. Customers will have to wait until their local post office opens on Tuesday, Jan. 22 to conduct business again. Mail delivery will also resume on Tuesday as well. Call 1-800-ASK-USPS if you need help. Here is a list of the ten (10) U.S. federal or postal holidays for 2012 as Stated by the USPS.com Website. Read 2013 USPS Holidays: Post Office closures, no mail delivery on postal holidays for more details.
Is UPS and Fed Ex Delivering Packages on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
United Parcel Service and Federal Express - According to UPS, they recognize, but do not observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will be conducting business as usual Monday, Jan. 21. Fed Ex reports they are also open for business on Monday, Jan. 21 as well, and will provide normal pickup and delivery service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They also provide mail and package delivery on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 18 as well.
Wondering what the 10 U.S. federal holidays are? Read 2013 U.S. Federal Holidays: List of OPM Government holidays, paid holidays off? for more information.
Sources: Yahoo News; defense.gov; usps.com; ups.com; fedex.com
Photo Credit: Martin Luther King Jr. memorial on the National Mall January 15, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images); Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21, 2013. Post office is closed MLK Day.
