Juneteenth – a celebration of one of the final acts of emancipation for slaves in the U.S. – is the newest federal holiday.
The day was designated as a federal holiday in 2021. It was the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983.
READ MORE: Wednesday is a federal holiday. What you should know about Juneteenth (June 19, 2024)
“Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come. This is a day of profound — in my view — profound weight and profound power,” President Joe Biden said when he signed the bill declaring the day a federal holiday. “By making Juneteenth a federal holiday, all Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history, and celebrate progress, and grapple with the distance we’ve come but the distance we have to travel.”
As a federal holiday, the U.S. Post Office is closed and mail will not run or be delivered on Wednesday. Offices will reopen and delivery will resume Thursday.
It’s the fifth federal holiday of the year, following New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Presidents Day and Memorial Day. The remaining federal holidays are:
Independence Day – Thursday, July 4
Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 1
Columbus Day – Monday, Oct. 14
Veterans Day – Monday, Nov. 11
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 28
Christmas Day – Wednesday, Dec. 25
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