Juneteenth: recognition as a Federal holidayIn 1980, Texas became the first state to adopt a state law recognizing the holiday. On June 17 2021, the US Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making 19 June the twelfth federal holiday. All 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or observance, South Dakota finally getting on board, and at least 18 states have enacted laws to observe the holiday as a paid state holiday. Already, under state law in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington, Juneteenth is an official holiday where state employees are given the day off. — Touré (@Toure) June 15, 2022Controversies of Juneteenth lawAs the House and Senate took up the bill that made Juneteenth a national holiday, racial justice activists sounded the alarm over the increase in states banning “critical race theory” from the public school curriculum.

Source: Washington Post June 16, 2022 13:06 UTC