Juneteenth is an annual holiday which occurs on june 19th and is observed in the united states. Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 46 of the 50 states. In 2016, we hope to end up with 45 states that have passed legislation to recognized the significance of juneteenth, states rev. While this holiday isnt an official government holiday in any u. Heres why 46 states celebrate juneteenth in the us. States, with organizations in a number of countries using the day to recognize. The southern states did not recognize may 30 as a holiday until after world war i. Juneteenth is a public holiday in 46 states and 1 federal district, where it is a day off for. How many states recognize juneteenth as a state holiday.
Only five states do not recognize the day of celebration hawaii, montana, new hampshire, south dakota and north dakota. Pennsylvania will join more than 40 other states and washington, d. Sununu signs bill declaring juneteenth a state holiday. Juneteenth celebrates equal rights and unity in the usa. Heres why 46 states celebrate juneteenth in the us nbc boston. Fortyfive states recognize juneteenth as a state holiday or a special day of recognition or observance. Pennsylvania will join 45 other states and the district of columbia in either marking the day as a state holiday or observance. Move will leave four states that do not recognize holiday, which commemorates end of slavery in country. Juneteenth, holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the united states. Which states do not recognize or have not designated a. Pennsylvania will be latest state to recognize juneteenth. Today, only five states do not recognize the holiday. Juneteenth is observed on june 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the united states. Juneteenth is a public holiday in 46 states and 1 federal district, where it is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
The four states that do not recognize juneteenth are hawaii, north dakota, south dakota, and montana. If you live in a state that does not recognize juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance, contact us, your state representative or state senator and our juneteenth state director in some states, a state representative or state senator has already agreed to sponsor your states legislation for juneteenth. While over forty states currently recognize juneteenth as a state holiday, it should be a national. New york was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873. In 1980, texas became the first state to make juneteenth a state holiday, and, as of today, 45 states and washington, d. Myers says he particularly thanks stukes for leading the efforts in maryland and he is optimistic that other states will also pass legislation to observe the holiday. While juneteenth officially began as a state holiday in texas in 1980, the celebrations have spread throughout the nation, and 46 states recognize. Events and observations associated with the holidays we list may be. States that do not recognize it are hawaii, montana, north dakota and south dakota. Juneteenth has been celebrated since texas slaves were told about their freedom on june 19, 1865.
This years juneteenth was accompanied by the first hearing on slavery reparations in over a decade. It is a holiday whose history was hidden for much of the last century. Move will leave four states that do not recognize holiday, which commemorates end of. Why juneteenth should be a national holiday the witness. Although juneteenth is not a federal holiday, most states and the district of columbia. The southern states did not recognize the holiday until after world war i. It was not until union soldiers arrived in galveston, texas, on june 19, 1865, that. What states recognize juneteenth as a state holiday. The holiday is based on events that occurred mainly in texas, but it is now celebrated nationally and is recognized as a state holiday in 37 states of the united states, including new york. But more than 200 cities across the nation celebrate juneteenth in some way, ranging from daylong festivals. Pennsylvania joins 45 other states and the district of columbia in celebrating the holiday. Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on june 19 that commemorates the end of slavery in the united states. Juneteenth in 20202021 when, where, why, how is celebrated.
A range of public, community and private events are held to celebrate juneteenth. It is the oldestknown celebration of black freedom from slavery. Juneteenth is about to become an official state holiday in. Across the country, the day is marked with events and parades. Currently, there are seven states that do not recognize juneteenth including arizona, hawaii, montana, new. In states where we do not have a committed state legislator. While texas was the first state to observe juneteenth as a state holiday, many others have since followed suit. That leaves just four states that dont recognize the holiday. Texas and oklahoma are the only states that recognize juneteenth as a legal holiday.
Juneteenth became a state holiday in texas in 1980, and a number of other states subsequently followed suit. All but four us states celebrate juneteenth as a holiday cnn. Note that state offices are not closed, but are staffed by a skeleton crew. Which states do not recognize or have not designated a special day of observance for juneteenth independence day. All but four us states celebrate juneteenth as a holiday. Juneteenth, a mashup of the words june and nineteenth, remembers the day in 1865 when slaves in texas finally learned about their emancipation. What states recognize juneteenth as a state holiday answers. Juneteenth is a holiday most americans have never heard of but should know about. Tom wolf puts pen to paper later today, pennsylvania will become the latest state to officially recognize juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the united states. Tom wolf will sign legislation recognizing juneteenth as a state holiday, joining. Us state of pennsylvania to recognize juneteenth move will leave four states that do not recognize holiday, which commemorates end of slavery in country umar farooq 20. Move will leave four states that do not recognize holiday, which commemorates end of slavery in country anadolu agency. The day is also celebrated outside the united states, with organizations in a number of countries using the day to recognize the end of slavery and to celebrate.
Today, juneteenth celebrations feature similar activities. Juneteenth, also known as freedom day or juneteenth independence day, is an american. According to the national juneteenth observance foundation, as of 2017, 45 states and the district of columbia have passed legislation to officially recognize juneteenth as a state holiday or special day of observance. It is one of the oldest celebrations of the abolition of slavery in the world. The day is also celebrated outside the united states, with organizations in a number of countries using the day to recognize the end of slavery and to celebrate the culture and achievements of african americans. Texas was the first state to recognize juneteenth as an official state holiday, in 1980. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the american south. Fortysix states and the district of columbia recognize juneteenth as a state holiday or day of recognition, like flag day. Wednesday marks the 154th anniversary of juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the u. Despite its status as federal holiiday, states are free to name this holiday as they wish or even whether or not it is observed as a public holiday in that state. Atlanta, ga national juneteenth holiday campaign chairman, rev.
Presidents day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third monday of february. Community centers 2018 juneteenth celebration is a. Juneteenth a blending of the words june and nineteenth is the oldest known us celebration of the end of slavery. Well look at the history and the stories behind the holiday. Pennsylvania governor makes juneteenth a state holiday. Us state of pennsylvania to recognize juneteenth anadolu agency. Many states do not recognize juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance. Georgia is now the 37th state to celebrate the of end of enslavement in america. Washington a holiday that is spreading across the u. Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of more than 250,000 slaves at the close of the civil war. Though most states now officially recognize juneteenth, its still not a. Concord after years of being one of the only remaining states that did not recognize juneteenth as a state holiday, gov. National observance of juneteenth is still a struggle.
But as the nation now observes the 150th anniversary of the civil wars onset, it is. Black texans took the holiday with them as they moved around the country and overseas, evans said, and what started as a local celebration went international. What is juneteenth, how is it celebrated, and why does it. Heres why 46 states celebrate juneteenth in the us nbc. By 2008, nearly half of us states observed the holiday as a ceremonial observance. If you work on june 19, your employer should give you the day off, paid. As of 2012, 40 states and the district of columbia recognize the juneteenth holiday. S state, it is recognized as a ceremonial observance in roughly half of. Since 1980, the state of texas has observed juneteenth as an official holiday known as emancipation day. Tom wolf will sign legislation recognizing juneteenth as a state holiday, joining at least 40 other states that have done so. Tom wolf will to sign legislation to deem juneteenth an official state holiday. Hawaii montana new hampshire north dakota south dakota we need your continued support and assistance to see juneteenth independence day become a national day of observance and a state holiday or state holiday observance in all 50 states.
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