JUNETEENTH is a national celebration of the ending of slavery in the US.
It is close to becoming a federal holiday after the Senate voted to establish the day off in a unanimous vote on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
Do you get paid on Juneteenth?
The June 19 celebration also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation.
Although it is observed across the US by all but four states: Hawaii, North Dakota, and South Dakota, is not recognised as a paid holiday.
The bill which is likely to pass the House would make Juneteenth the 12th federal holiday.
What states recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday?
Currently, a handful of states recognize Juneteenth as a paid day of leave for state employees.
Texas, New York, Virginia and Washington are the four states where state employees get paid on the Juneteenth.
Additionally, some companies have adopted Juneteenth as a paid day off for employees, while others have officially marked the day in other ways, such as moments of silence.
What is Juneteenth and what's the meaning behind it?
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19 that marks the end of slavery in the US.
The day commemorates June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas learned of the executive order marking the last day of slavery in the United States.
That day all African-Americans were freed from slavery after Union General Gordon Granger rode to Galveston, Texas, and told the slaves of their emancipation.
Granger read to the crowd: "In accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."
Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth an official paid holiday for state employees.
It is considered the "Black Independence day", is celebrated like the Fourth of July with gatherings, picnics, and parties with family and friends.
The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, an association based in Mississippi, has worked for years to get Juneteenth officiated as a national holiday.
After the death of George Floyd, which sparked racial injustice protests across the country, Jack Dorsey. Twitter's CEO announced that his companies would honor the day as a company holiday.
Dorsey tweeted at the time: "Both Twitter and Square are making #Juneteenth (June 19th) a company holiday in the US, forevermore. A day for celebration, education, and connection."
"Countries and regions around the world have their own days to celebrate emancipation, and we will do the work to make those dates company holidays everywhere we are present."
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