Celebrating Juneteenth: A New Federal Holiday

Historical Significance of Juneteenth

In 2021, Juneteenth became the latest federal holiday in the US, the first to be approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

President Biden's Role

President Joe Biden signed the legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday in June 2021. Every state has passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday.

A Moment of Pride for President Biden

"One of my proudest moments as President was signing into law Juneteenth as a new Federal holiday — the first Federal holiday to be established since 1983," President Biden said in a statement.