Juneteenth officially declared a state holiday for the first time

Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the United States as a way to commemorate the end of slavery in the country.

Now, the day will be considered an official state holiday for the first in Alabama’s history. Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law this week, following in the footsteps of former President Joe Biden who signed a law to make the day a federal holiday in 2021.

The state has proclaimed Juneteenth a holiday in each of the last five years but now it will be officially considered a state holiday.

“Since President Trump observed Juneteenth in June of 2020, we have proclaimed it each year, and I am pleased the Legislature has made it an official state holiday.”

Gov. Kay Ivey

Juneteenth in Alabama

We’ll have an event guide on how to celebrate Jubilee Day closer to the holiday but there are plenty of ways to learn more about the holiday’s history throughout Alabama.

• EJI unveils new National Monument to Freedom to honor memory, legacy of enslaved people
• Alabama’s Africatown Heritage House nominated by USA Today for “Best New Museum”
• Montgomery sites featured by Thrillist as ways to celebrate Juneteenth
• Freedom Monument Sculpture Park ranked among 25 Best Places to go in the South
• MLB returning to Rickwood Field for annual exhibition game on Juneteenth
• Harriet Tubman statue to be unveiled at Montgomery
• The Legacy Museum opens its doors to the newly expanded building

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