Since Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States in 2021, there has been a wave of support from governors, mayors, and CEOs of major companies. Employees are now given the day off as a paid holiday to commemorate this significant day in American history.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when federal troops liberated the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. This event took place nearly two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and is seen as the effective end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth is now one of 11 federal holidays, alongside Christmas and the Fourth of July, with federal organizations such as banks and public schools observing the day by granting employees time off.
Although Juneteenth was formally recognized as a federal holiday by the Biden administration in 2021, certain states and cities have their own regulations regarding the day. States like New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Texas had already acknowledged Juneteenth as a state holiday before it became a federal holiday.
Many major companies, including Nike, Lyft, and Zillow, have announced Juneteenth as an annual company holiday, providing employees with the day off to reflect, volunteer, or engage in activism to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S.
Companies like Google have also made Juneteenth a paid company holiday, while retail corporations such as Target and Starbucks have opted to stay open but pay employees extra on this day. Amazon, on the other hand, has not yet adopted Juneteenth as a company holiday but offers online learning opportunities and an “anti-meeting approach” on the day.
As we look ahead to Juneteenth 2024, it’s important to note that the stock markets, U.S. Post Offices, and banks will be closed, while most grocery stores and retailers will remain open.