Patriot Day, the proper noun for the annual observance on September 11, is not a postal holiday. The United States Postal Service (USPS) maintains its normal operational schedule, including mail delivery and post office retail services. This is because it is a national day of remembrance, not a federal holiday, which is the designation required for the closure of federal entities like the postal service.
Federal holidays are the only days on which USPS operations are suspended nationwide. These include days such as New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In contrast, Patriot Day was established by presidential proclamation as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. This designation encourages solemn observances, such as flying the flag at half-staff and observing a moment of silence, but it does not carry the legal authority to close federal government functions or businesses.
Consequently, for all practical purposes, individuals and businesses can expect all postal services to be fully functional on September 11. It is important not to confuse Patriot Day (September 11) with Patriots' Day, a state-level holiday observed on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts and Maine. While Patriots' Day can affect state and local services in those specific regions, it is also not a federal postal holiday, though local mail service may be impacted by parades or events.
