Post Office and Wall Street to Stay Open Dec. 26, Despite U.S. Workers' Day Off
The Postal Service and Wall Street will remain open on Friday, Dec. 26, despite President Clinton's order giving federal workers the day off.</br></br>There's a longstanding tradition of giving federal workers a four-day weekend when Christmas falls on a Thursday. In 1986, the last time it happened, the Postal Service also continued working.</br></br>Other federal employees may also be required to work for reasons of national security, defense or other public need.</br></br>Banks are likely to be open on Dec. 26 as usual, because the Federal Reserve banks around the country will be open, as will their clearing banks, according to the Federal Reserve Board in Washington. The Federal Reserve Board itself, the policy-making entity in Washington, will be closed, said Joseph Clyne, assistant to the board. Mr. Clyne said the Federal Reserve will be issuing the required weekly condition statement regarding federal reserve banks that day.</br></br>The New York Stock Exchange also will continue with its planned operations that day, closing early at 1 p.m. EST, a spokesman said. The Nasdaq Stock Market, which tends to mirror the schedule of the Big Board, also plans a 1 p.m. closing, as does the American Stock Exchange.