If you are expecting an important letter on Columbus Day, it’s time to bury that thought because it’s not going to happen.
Since Columbus Day is considered a federal holiday, all post offices and federal offices of any kind will be closed, meaning that no mail will be delivered. This also means that no USPS packages will be delivered on Columbus Day. Although it is not a public holiday in states such as California, Nevada, or Hawaii, mail will still not be delivered.
That being said, if you are expecting an important package from UPS and Fedex on Columbus Day, you might be in luck. UPS and Fedex will have normal delivery hours on Monday because the companies do not take off for Columbus Day. However, because of Hurricane Matthew, there might be some delivery delays especially in areas that were affected by the hurricane.
There are 11 permanent ‘National Holidays’ that Congress has granted:
Friday, January 1: New Year’s Day
Monday, January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 20: Washington’s Birthday
Monday, May 29: Memorial Day
Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day
Monday, September 4: Labor Day
Monday, October 9: Columbus Day
Friday, November 10: Veterans Day
Thursday, November 23: Thanksgiving Day
Monday, December 25: Christmas Day
Although post offices are closed, not every federal office will be closed as well. To find out what offices might stay open and to view the remaining schedule for federal holidays, click here.
What Is Columbus Day?
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Columbus Day is a national holiday that is celebrated in the United States to pay homage to Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. Columbus landed in the states on October 12, 1492. The holiday is also celebrated in some countries in Latin America, along with Spain, Belize, Uruguay, and Italy.
The celebration dates back to 1792 when the Tammany Society in New York City and Boston’s Massachusetts Historical Society celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival. Italian-Americans also celebrate the holiday to honor their culture and heritage.
