Juneteenth is this week. The holiday marking the official end of slavery is celebrated annually on June 19, but only became recognized as a federal holiday a few years ago.
Here’s what to know.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes. It’s the youngest federal holiday and rose to prominence in 2020.
When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?
Texas became the first U.S. state to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. After more than a million signatures were collected to make it a federally-recognized holiday; President Joe Biden declared it so in 2021.
Story continues after photo gallery.
When is Juneteenth 2025?
For 2025, Juneteenth falls on Thursday, June 19. Regardless of the day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 annually.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth – also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day – commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, received news that they were free, two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
What is closed on Juneteenth?
Like all federal holidays, banks, the post office and public libraries will not be open Juneteenth.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Juneteenth is this week. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Why do we celebrate?
Reporting by Katie Wiseman and Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
