On June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day for the first time as a federal holiday. It was signed into law by President Biden on June 17, 2021, following bi-partisan support of the bill in congress. We honor this important day each year on June 19 to commemorate the day that individuals enslaved in Texas were notified of their freedom, officially ending slavery in the United States.

On this day, June 19, 1865, the Civil War had ended and two years had passed since the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Union Army Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on this historic day, to read Order No. 3: 

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor…”

We commemorate this important day in the history of our nation as well as its meaning in Black history and culture. On this day, we hope you will take time to listen to the voices of those around you, connect with others, and learn from the experiences of members of the Black community. We appreciate and value your willingness to support one another and promote equity and inclusion throughout our organization.