(NEXSTAR) — Tuesday, November 11, will carry two points of significance this year, one of which will save you a trip to the mailbox.
That is, of course, because Tuesday is Veterans Day, when Americans are meant to honor those who have served. Because it’s a federal holiday, post offices will be closed for the day.
The U.S. Postal Service — “one of the largest civilian employers of America’s veterans,” according to Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner — says only Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Tuesday. Self-service kiosks found in some post offices nationwide will remain available if you need to purchase stamps, print postage, weigh and mail packages, and track packages.
Other delivery services, like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon, will be available on Tuesday.
Your local bank will also likely be closed for the day. Local services like garbage pickup and libraries may close in observance of the holiday as well. It’s best to confirm hours and availability online or by calling ahead.
In addition to Veterans Day, Tuesday will mark the second holiday designated by President Trump earlier this year.
The U.S. has observed Veterans Day in some form since it became a legal holiday in 1938. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was meant to honor veterans of World War I. On November 11, 1918, Germany and the Allies signed an armistice agreement to end what was then known as the Great War. After World War II, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day, and its purpose grew to honor all U.S. veterans from every war.
Initially, Trump wanted to rename Veterans Day to “Victory Day for World War I Day.” A day later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Veterans Day would not be renamed but that the new holiday would “just be an additional proclamation.”
Veterans Day will remain intact and largely unaffected by the expected proclamation from Trump. You’ll also still have off work if your company observes the federal holiday. And if your company does not treat it as a day off, it will likely stay that way.
Trump previously said the country would not be closing for the two “very important Holidays” because “we already have too many Holidays in America — There are not enough days left in the year.”
You’ll have a day off (of work and from checking your mailbox) soon, however. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away.
