Juneteenth in the United States
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people there were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.[1][2] The date is now a federal legal holiday called Juneteenth National Independence Day.[3]
The history and meaning of Juneteenth
President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, but it could not be enforced in areas still controlled by Confederate forces. In Texas, news of the proclamation was slow to reach some places, and some slaveholders concealed it. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston and announced freedom in Texas.[2]
The 13th Amendment, ratified later in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the United States. Juneteenth recalls the delayed arrival and enforcement of emancipation in Texas, and the long struggle for freedom and equal rights. The National Archives records that Black Texans formally celebrated Juneteenth from 1866, with observances later spreading to other states.[1][2]
A federal legal holiday
Congress established Juneteenth National Independence Day as a legal public holiday by passing Public Law 117-17 on June 17, 2021. The law added June 19 to the federal holiday list in Title 5 of the United States Code.[3]
The holiday gives most federal employees a day off for pay and leave purposes, though some employees may be required to work and receive holiday treatment under federal rules. For employees with a Monday-to-Friday workweek, when June 19 falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is generally the in-lieu holiday; when it falls on Sunday, it is generally the following Monday. Other work schedules can follow different rules.[4][5]
How people observe it
Juneteenth observances vary by community. The National Park Service describes parades, family reunions and speeches, as well as gatherings with foods associated with the color red, including barbecue, watermelon and strawberry soda. These customs connect celebration with remembrance of emancipation and African American history.[6]
Museums and historic sites may also hold educational programs, performances and community events. Juneteenth grew from its Texas roots into observances elsewhere, so local events and traditions differ; check local listings for details.[1][6]
Planning around the holiday
Federal employees generally receive holiday time off according to their work schedules, but Juneteenth does not guarantee a day off for every worker. The U.S. Department of Labor says the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to provide holiday time off or holiday pay.[4][7]
There is no single nationwide closure schedule for banks, shops, schools or local transport. Check with the specific business, school, public agency or transport provider before making plans. Federal in-lieu rules apply to federal employee schedules; they do not set a universal observed date for every organization.[5][7]
Frequently asked questions
When is Juneteenth?
The legal holiday date is June 19. For most federal employees on a Monday-to-Friday schedule, a Saturday holiday is generally observed on the preceding Friday, and a Sunday holiday on the following Monday.[3][4][5]
Is Juneteenth a day off for everyone?
No. Most federal employees receive holiday time off under federal rules, but the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require private employers to provide holiday leave or pay.[4][7]
Sources and references
Sources used for Juneteenth in United States:
- National Archives Safeguards Original ‘Juneteenth’ General Order- National Archives and Records Administration
- Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom- National Park Service
- Public Law 117–17- U.S. Congress
- Federal Holidays- U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Federal Holidays - "In Lieu Of" Determination- U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Juneteenth National Independence Day - NPS Commemorations and Celebrations- National Park Service
- elaws - FLSA Hours Worked Advisor- U.S. Department of Labor