On June 19, 1865, Union troops made it to Galveston Bay, Texas and finally told the last enslaved Black Americans they were free — nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
“More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day,” according to The National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Now, the day is commemorated with Juneteenth, a federal holiday made official by Former President Joe Biden in 2021.
All non-essential federal offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, including the post office, though DMV locations will remain open. See what else is open tomorrow, and how you can celebrate Juneteenth in Jacksonville, Florida.
What holiday is tomorrow? Juneteenth is Thursday, June 19, 2025
Tomorrow is Juneteenth.
Juneteenth marks the day, June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black people in the United States were finally told — 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended — that they were free.
The first Juneteenth celebration was held in Galveston the very next year, in 1866. Early celebrations were smaller, subdued affairs amid renewed calls for racial segregation and the rise of racial violence, lynchings and Jim Crow laws in the state and across the South.
It wasn’t until the civil rights protests of the 1960s and 70s many decades later when Juneteenth was finally celebrated in a big way as an act of defiance and pride, and it gained new prominence in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, according to USA TODAY.
What does Juneteenth stand for?
“Juneteenth” is a portmanteau, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth,” the day Granger issued the proclamation to more than 250,000 formerly enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas.
When was the first Juneteenth?
Former President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Thursday is only the fifth year that Juneteenth has been a federal holiday.
It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are:
Juneteenth events in Jacksonville, Florida
Here’s a round-up of Juneteenth-related events on June 19 and through the weekend:
Is Juneteenth a paid holiday in Florida? Do we work on Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, not an official state one. For federal workers it’s a paid holiday and nonessential federal workers will have the day off, although some businesses offer it as a paid day for their employees.
Only about half of the states in the U.S. recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, although more are considering it.
Some Florida county commissions and city councils have declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices.
Is the post office open on Juneteenth? Will mail be delivered?
Postal service retail locations will be closed Thursday and there will be no regular mail delivery except for holiday premium Priority Mail Express, the United States Post Office said in a release.
Does UPS deliver on Juneteenth?
UPS Store locations will be open on June 19, according to the company’s holiday schedule, and UPS pickup and delivery services will be available.
Does FedEx deliver on Juneteenth?
All FedEx offices will be open on June 19 and all services will be available, the company website says.
Are banks closed on Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, according to Bankrate.com. The Federal Reserve is the organization that regulates the nation’s banking system.
Banks aren’t required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they generally do. Check with your local bank or credit union to check their hours.
Online banking services and ATMs will still be available, but any transactions made during on June 19 won’t be posted until the next business day.
Is the stock market open or closed on Juneteenth?
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website.
Is the DMV open on Juneteenth?
Yes. All Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles locations will be open, according to the holiday schedule.
Is Publix open on Juneteenth? Grocery stores open on June 19
Yes, major grocery stores will be open Thursday, June 19:
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What does Juneteenth stand for? June 19 events to celebrate in Jacksonville, Florida
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, C. A. Bridges and Beth Reese Cravey, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
