Juneteenth: A National Holiday Honoring Freedom and Progress
A Historic Milestone
In the summer of 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill that officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. This landmark legislation recognized the significance of this date in American history, marking the end of slavery in the United States.
Observing Juneteenth 2023
"A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2023" reads:
"One of my proudest actions as President has been signing the bipartisan law establishing Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States and to commemorate the progress we have made as a nation towards racial justice and equality." Banking Holiday
Juneteenth is observed as a banking holiday by the Federal Reserve. This means that most major banks, including Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo, will be closed on June 19th, 2023.
Public Holiday
In addition to being a federal holiday, at least 28 states and Washington D.C. recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday this year. This underscores the growing importance and recognition of this historic event in American society.
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