Nov. 11 marks Veterans Day, and while banks and post offices will be closed across the country, most restaurants, grocery stores and retailers will remain open. Some restaurants are even offering deals and discounts for veterans.
The federal holiday is tied to the end of World War I, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. An armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Nov. 11, 1918.
The day "is generally regarded as the end of 'the war to end all wars,'" according to the government agency's website. Veterans Day is always observed on Nov. 11.
When Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938, many states had already started observing it. In 1954,
Congress, with the support of veterans organizations, changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day; President Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954.
The purpose of the day is to be a "celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good," the Department of Veterans Affairs says on its website.
Is the post office open on Veterans Day? Will mail be delivered?
No, post offices will be closed on Veterans Day, and mail will not be delivered because it is a federal holiday. The U.S. Postal Service will resume regular operations on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Are banks open on Veterans Day?
Since Veterans Day is a federal holiday, most branches of national banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo and CitiBank, among others, will be closed on Nov. 11. It is always a good idea to check with your local bank branch for specific holiday hours.
ATMs and online banking remain available; however, transactions or deposits may not process until the next business day.
Are shipping services, like UPS and FedEx, open on Veterans Day?
UPS pickup and delivery services will be available on Wednesday, Nov. 11. However, UPS Ground Saver and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries will require one additional business day in transit due to the USPS federal holiday. UPS Store locations will also be open.
FedEx pickup and delivery services will also be available on Nov. 11, and FedEx Office locations will be open.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are banks, post offices open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
