Community Corner

Columbus Day: What's Open, What's Not

Government offices are closed in observance of the holiday

Today is Columbus Day, a federal and state holiday. The U.S. first commemorated Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World in 1492 – history tells us it was on Oct. 12 – with a federal holiday in 1937. In the early '70s, the observance was moved to the second Monday in October.

But Americans have been celebrating Columbus' accidental discovery almost since the U.S. was founded. Patriotic rituals marked both the 300th and 400th anniversary of Colubus' arrival, in 1792 and 1892. In areas populated by large numbers of Italian immigrants, the holiday has become a chance to celebrate Catholic and Italian culture in the U.S.

Some states use the day to recognize Native American history instead, in part because many take issue with celebrating Columbus and his bloody history on the continent.

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New Jersey, however, observes the holiday. This means the following are closed today:

  • Schools
  • Local government offices
  • Courts
  • County offices
  • State offices, including the DMV
  • Post offices; there will also be no mail delivery

 

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However:

  • The Ocean County Library system will operate on normal business hours today
  • New Jersey Transit trains and light rail are on regular weekday schedules
  • Lacey has regular trash pickup today
  • Banks have the option to close, but many are open


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