The house is expected to pass the bill on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday after the important holiday’s increased recognition in the past couple of years.
Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th, celebrates the day where the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were freed, two years after then-President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The announcements were, at the time, dependent on the advancement of troops into certain regions. Since Texas was in a more remote part of the country, freed slaves in Texas would not find out until June 19, 1865 with the announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger.
I just put a bill on the floor of the Senate from @SenMarkey and @SenTinaSmith to make #Juneteenth a federal holiday.
It passed the Senate!
Next up: It should pass the House. Then to President Biden’s desk for signature.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 15, 2021
If the bill is passed, it would make Juneteenth the 12th official federal holiday, renamed as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Many states already recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or have an official observance, but the bill would make it recognized on a national scale.
The House is expected to vote on Wednesday, and the bill is expected to pass through to President Biden’s desk for his signature of approval.
[featured image by Matthew Bornhorst on Unsplash]