Presidents Day is celebrated the third Monday of February.
Originally, the federal holiday marked the birthday of George Washington, on Feb. 22. But the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which took effect in 1971, switched it (along with Columbus Day and Memorial Day) to the Monday holiday.
According to the website factmonster.com, the federal government continues to recognize the third Monday in February as Washington’s Birthday, but because states are not obliged to adopt federal holidays, it varies.
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey the holiday is referred to as Presidents Day, although in at least one local community, Phillipsburg, both Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday are celebrated (on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20, respectively).
Here’s a rundown of what’s open and what’s closed.
County offices: Warren, Northampton and Lehigh counties are all closed.
Local municipal offices: The cities of Bethlehem and Easton and Forks Township are closed. Allentown is open. For specific information, call your local municipality.
Mail: Post offices are closed and there will be no mail delivery.
Liquor stores: New Jersey liquor stores are privately owned; hours vary by location. In Pennsylvania, all stores will observe standard operating hours.
Department of Motor Vehicles: New Jersey DMV offices are closed Monday. In Pennsylvania, offices were closed Saturday and will remain closed Monday.
Colonial living just outside Phillipsburg
Libraries: In New Jersey, four branches of Warren County Library system are closed for Presidents Day. The Phillipsburg Free Public Library, the Hackettstown Free Public Library and WH Walters Free Public Library, in Alpha, are all closed. In Pennsylvania, the Easton Area Public Library, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Hellertown Library and Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity are all closed. The Allentown Public Library is open.
Money and markets: The U.S. stock market is closed. Many banks are closed as well, although some choose to stay open. Online banking and ATMs are available, though transactions such as transfers may not show up until the next day.
Public transportation: LANTA is operating on a normal schedule. Trans-Bridge Lines is reporting a normal Monday schedule except certain run numbers in and out of New York. The Wall Street/Jersey City east and westbound runs will not operate.
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