Is Juneteenth a Federal Holiday?

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, specifically marking the day on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas.

On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden, making Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday. This means that Juneteenth will be officially recognized and observed by the federal government across the United States starting from June 19, 2022, onwards. As a federal holiday, it will grant federal employees a day off and will typically involve closures of federal offices and certain businesses.

It’s important to note that the recognition and observance of holidays may vary at the state, local, and private sector levels. Even before its official federal recognition, many individuals, communities, and organizations have been celebrating Juneteenth as a significant day in American history.