A New Holiday!

June 19^th, a day also known as Juneteenth, marks the end of slavery in the United States. On that day in 1865, Union soldiers delivered General Order No. 3 to Texas, the document that officially ended slavery. Though for years the day has been celebrated and recognized nationwide, this year will be the first that it is an official federal holiday.

Massive support in favor of the bill occurred in both the Senate and the House of Representatives this past week. The legislation in the Senate was sponsored by Edward Markey, D-Mass, and the legislation in the House of Representatives was sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas.

On June 17^th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the bill, declaring June 19^th as Juneteenth National Independence Day. This is the 12^th declared legal public holiday. The last time a new federal holiday was signed into law was in 1983, by former President Ronald Reagan.

"Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations. That’s why we need this holiday." –  Al Edwards, Texas Democratic Representative

Juneteenth is an American symbol of freedom from slavery. Now, it’s time to celebrate it officially.