Juneteenth significance grows across US; 28 states and 39% businesses declare it public holiday

Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in the USA in 2021, has witnessed significant growth this year in being recognised as a state holiday in the USA, as also a paid day off in corporate USA.

Juneteenth commemorates the end slavery of African-Americans in the USA. The day derives its name from a combination of the month of June and the date nineteenth (19th).

On June 19, 1865, the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free in Galveston, Texas. Thereafter, it has been marked as an important day. However, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a national holiday only in 2021, by the current US President Joe Biden.


Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, and it is now known as the second Independence Day of the US, the main one being July 4th. US President’s decision for the regulation was possible because Juneteenth rose to prominence again in 2020, amid protests against racism in the US after the questionable deaths of people of Black origin, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

Juneteenth 2023 observed with more federal holidays, paid offs

Post 2021, Juneteenth became the 11th federal holiday in the US. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, on Juneteenth 2023, at least 28 US states and Washington, DC legally recognized June 19 as a public holiday, with most government offices closed. Some of the remaining US states also marked Juneteenth as a ‘day of observance’. Cities across the USA declared Juneteenth an official paid holiday.

For states like California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada and Tennessee, Juneteenth 2023 was a new public holiday. California told the state employees to take an off "in lieu of receiving a personal holiday". The states of Alabama and West Virginia also authorized Juneteenth as a state holiday this year. While North Carolina let some state workers take any one paid day off, citing a day of ‘cultural or religious importance’.

While 39% of private businesses gave their employees a paid day off on the federal holiday – a rise from 33% in 2021 – most banks, all the stock markets, and the US Postal Service were closed on Juneteenth 2023. As per a Mercer's report, in financial services, 63% of employers are giving paid time off on Juneteenth.

For Juneteenth 2024, at least 7% of employers are considering making Juneteenth a permanent holiday.

FAQs

Q1:What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the USA to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It derives its name from combining June and nineteenth (19th). It was recognised by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Q2:Which is the USA’s second Independence Day?
The American Independence Day is on July 4th. Juneteenth (June 19) has been recognised as the USA’s ‘Second Independence Day’ because it ended slavery.