Juneteenth is now a National Holiday!

Recognition of Juneteenth is Progress Forward

I'm thrilled that Juneteenth will now be honored as an official US holiday!

While there is so much more to be done in the fight for social and racial justice, this is one positive and significant step moving forward.

In Juneteenth for Mazie, Floyd Cooper creates a touching picture book of the history of Juneteenth.  Set in the present, Mazie learns the struggles and the triumphs of her family’s past as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.

On June 15, 2021, the Senate unanimously passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday; it subsequently passed through the House of Representatives by a 415-14 vote on June 16.

The holiday commemorates the end of slavery, and is regularly observed with celebrations of African-American culture.  Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1866.

The holiday is considered the “longest-running African-American holiday” and has been called “America’s Second Independence Day.”

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