Some local banks, government offices, and businesses are closed today in observance of Juneteenth, the federal holiday recognized each year on June 19th.
Residents are encouraged to check ahead before making trips to banks, post offices, or other offices, as hours may vary depending on the business. While many retail stores and restaurants remain open, some local operations may be observing the holiday as well.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The day is widely recognized as the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and is observed as a time to reflect on freedom, history, and the continued pursuit of equality.