This past week, President Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday after the legislation passed with strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, is a holiday that commemorates the moment in history when news of the emancipation of slaves reached the furthest corners of the deep south. While we recognize that there’s still work to be done, we’re overjoyed to see Juneteenth receive the national recognition it deserves. Generations to come will witness and celebrate the observation of a such an important day in U.S. history.
“Juneteenth is not just a Black holiday; it is an American holiday. The day signals America finally realizing our founding principles of ‘liberty and justice for all.’ Slavery is a dark stain on U.S. history, but Juneteenth is an example that America can move past the transgressions of history in pursuit of a freer society. These are difficult times, and we must find ways to embrace our difference, address underlying issues, and move forward as a country.”
-Laquan Austion, Founder of The Juneteenth Foundation
