Thanksgiving as a designated date in the United States had, before 1941, a variable history. A day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed, by various United States presidents, in months that included March, April, May, September and December.

The fourth Thursday of November, however, was finally fixed as a “legal public holiday” by a bill passed on Oct. 6, 1941 by the United States House of Representatives. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill in December 1941 and it took effect as a federal holiday in November 1942.

Government offices — Los Angeles city and county, national and state — superior courts, libraries and schools are closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. In addition, city, county and state offices, superior courts and libraries are also closed on Friday.

Los Angeles Unified School District schools are also closed on both days. achieve.lausd.net/calendar. Instructional school calendar 2024-2025: tinyurl.com/39mvzush

Here is a sampling of other services that are closed or have an altered service on Thursday-Friday.

Banks: Closed on Thursday. Also, New York Stock Exchange markets are closed on Thursday and close early on Friday (www.nyse.com/markets/hours-calendars).

Courts: Closed both days. Superior Court 2024 holidays, www.lacourt.org/holiday/ui/index.aspx

Libraries: Los Angeles Public Library locations are closed both days (www.lapl.org/holiday-closures). Los Angeles County Library locations are closed both days (lacountylibrary.org).

Mail: The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail and post offices are closed on Thursday. www.usps.com. Holidays 2024-2025: about.usps.com/newsroom/events/

Transit: Buses and subway services in Los Angeles run on a Saturday/Sunday/Holiday schedule on Thursday. Metro’s rail and bus schedules: www.metro.net/riding/schedules-2/. Metro’s home page: www.metro.net

Metrolink trains run on regular weekend schedule on Thursday-Friday on the Ventura County and Antelope Valley lines. Also, Metrolink’s $10 Holiday Pass is available for both days. metrolinktrains.com/schedules/thanksgiving-day

Trash: Pickup schedule for Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment is postponed by one day for customers whose trash is normally picked up on Thursday (to be picked up on Friday), and customers whose trash is normally picked up on Friday (picked up on Saturday). Also, on the website under the section “What We Do,” click on Collection, and then click on Holiday Trash Collection: www.lacitysan.org. 800-773-2489. In addition, see the LA Sanitation and Environment 2024 Service Calendar: tinyurl.com/3k4b3ejv