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handle is hein.crs/govefzs0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional                                                      ____
-- . Research Service
Juneteenth National Independence Day:
A New Federal Holiday
Updated January 13, 2022
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act (P.L. 117-
71) into law. It had passed the Senate on June 15 and the House of Representatives on June 16. The act
amends Section 6103(a), Title 5 of the United States Code to designate June 19 as Juneteenth National
Independence Day.
In the 117th Congress, two companion bills-H.R. 1320 and S. 475-were both introduced on February
25, 2021. In the 116th Congress (2019-2020), legislation was introduced to create a federal holiday and the
House and Senate also agreed to resolutions honoring Juneteenth. Legislation to designate Juneteenth as a
federal holiday had not been introduced prior to the 116th Congress.
After he signed P.L. 117-17 (S. 475) into law, President Biden issued a proclamation to celebrate the
observance of Juneteenth. In part, the proclamation read
On June 19, 1865-nearly nine decades after our Nation's founding, and more than 2 years after
President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation-enslaved Americans in Galveston,
Texas, finally received word that they were free from bondage. As those who were formerly
enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, Black Americans came to commemorate
Juneteenth with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor
today. In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans.
And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.
On June 17, 2021, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance on the
recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day in the federal workplace. In addition to providing
guidance on the application of the federal holiday to various employment categories, OPM noted that
Juneteenth fell on a Saturday in 2021, and that the holiday would be observed on Friday, June 18, the
same in lieu of' policy employed when other federal holidays fall on a weekend.
Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army issued General Order No. 3 in
Galveston, TX. The order announced to the people of Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation's freeing
of enslaved people in the Confederate states was in effect. Specifically, General Order No. 3 stated
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN11697
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress

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