Juneteenth: A New Federal Holiday Recognizing the End of Slavery

Legislation Passed in 2021

On June 16, 2021, Congress passed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The bill was signed into law by President Biden, making Juneteenth the 11th federal holiday in the United States.

Historical Significance

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed by President Lincoln more than two years earlier. The arrival of the Union troops marked the official end of slavery in the United States.

Celebration and Recognition

Juneteenth is now celebrated annually on June 19 as a day of remembrance and celebration of the end of slavery. It is a time for reflection on the history of racial injustice in the United States and a celebration of the progress that has been made.

President Biden's Remarks

President Biden, who signed the Juneteenth legislation into law, described it as one of his "proudest moments as President." He said, "Juneteenth is a day of profound weight and profound power. It's a day when we remember the long, hard road that our nation has traveled to get to where we are today, a day when we celebrate the resilience and determination of the African American people."

First New Federal Holiday in Decades

Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday to be established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. It is a significant milestone in the recognition of the history and contributions of African Americans to the United States.