Juneteenth Becomes 12th Federal Holiday

President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on Thursday.

Shutterstock photo.

(WASHINGTON) – For the first time since 1983, a new federal holiday has been established.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed a bill declaring June 19 a national holiday for Juneteenth, also known as Black Emancipation Day.

Juneteenth is the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Junior Day in 1983.

The new national holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.  

"We cannot rest until the promise of equality is fulfilled — for every one of us, in every corner of this nation," said President Biden. "That is the meaning of Juneteenth."

As of this week Hawaii became the 49th state to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or observance. Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky are among them. 

Kentucky began recognizing Juneteenth in 2005, followed by Ohio in 2006, and Indiana in 2010. 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Thursday that Juneteenth will be an official state holiday. State offices will be closed Friday, June 18. 

Today, I had the honor of signing a bill to officially make Juneteenth a federal holiday. With this important step, all Americans can feel the power of the day, learn from our history, celebrate our progress, and grapple with the distance we still have to travel. pic.twitter.com/UN5WgCiAy2

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 17, 2021