-Tamara’Shanay-

Cousins!

It’s been a longtime coming and extremely overdue but we are pleased to announce that ‘Juneteenth’ is now an official New York City holiday!

The historic announcement was made April 11th on Monday afternoon by Mayor Eric Adams reports the New York Post.

“As the second Black mayor of New York City, I know that I stand on the shoulders of countless heroes and sheroes who put their lives on the line to secure a more perfect union,” said Mayor Adams.

“Now is the time for me to do a small part and recognize one of our nation’s greatest wrongs.”

Juneteenth marks the official ending of slavery within the United States. Throughout the last few years or so the holiday has been widely recognized across the country and met with celebration as the official Independence Day for African Americans.

However Juneteenth is actually classified as one of the oldest American holidays in history, since it’s original solidification in 1865. It has been said that the eruption of protests in 2020 following the tragic murder of George Floyd, led to an impactful change within U.S government.

 -In 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the last remaining Confederate sympathizers that they’d lost the Civil War so all slaves must be freed. 

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” Union Gen. Gordon Granger read aloud to the residents of Galveston, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

“Juneteenth is a time for reflection, assessment, and self-improvement. People across the country of all races, nationalities, and religions unite on this day to truthfully acknowledge the stain of slavery and celebrate the countless contributions of Black Americans,” said the Mayor Adams in a forwarded press release.

Sources confirm that Juneteenth became an official 12th federal holiday back in June of 2021 and has been noted as the first holiday created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

“It’s time for our city to finally do what’s right and officially designate Juneteenth as a city holiday. This decision is long overdue, which is why it will immediately take effect this year,” he added. “Holding a mirror to our nation’s past atrocities is never easy, but it is necessary.”

Cousins, how will you be celebrating Juneteenth this year?