The United States Postal Service (USPS), as a federal agency, does not observe state holidays. Patriots' Day is a civic holiday specific to Massachusetts and Maine. Consequently, post office locations in Massachusetts maintain their regular operational hours, and standard mail delivery services are conducted on this day. The operational status of a post office is determined by the federal holiday calendar, not by state or local observances.
The core distinction lies between federal and state jurisdiction. The USPS closes nationwide for eleven designated federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Patriots' Day, celebrated on the third Monday of April, is not on this federal list. While post office facilities remain open, mail delivery routes in areas with significant holiday events, most notably the Boston Marathon, may experience delays or alterations. These disruptions are not due to USPS recognizing the holiday, but are a practical consequence of road closures and logistical challenges.
In practice, residents of Massachusetts can conduct all standard postal business on Patriots' Day. However, it is advisable to be aware that local parades or marathon-related traffic may temporarily impede a mail carrier's access to certain neighborhoods, potentially affecting the timing of a specific delivery. This principlewhere federal government functions continue during state-level holidaysapplies to most federal services, with any impact on operations stemming from local logistics rather than official observance.
