New Yorkers honor lost African American holiday older than Juneteenth
An African American holiday older than Juneteenth was almost lost. These New Yorkers are bringing back Pinkster, which was outlawed in the 1800s.
Every year, on June 19, Americans celebrate the end of slavery.
The day is known as Juneteenth, a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth.” It refers to June 19, 1865 — the day when news of emancipation finally reached Texas, the last place to learn about the abolition of slavery proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln two years earlier.
But this year in New Jersey, Juneteenth is set to be observed on June 20, not on June 19. Here’s why.
When is Juneteenth celebrated in New Jersey?
In June 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law the incorporation of Juneteenth as one of the state’s holidays, to be celebrated on the third Friday of June.
This happened a year before President Joe Biden would do the same at the federal level. Back then, Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday to be celebrated on June 19th every year, regardless of what day of the week it falls on.
This has resulted is some confusion as to when the day should be celebrated.
In New Jersey, state offices and courts will be closed on Friday, June 20, but public federal workers and many employees at private companies will have Thursday, June 19 off.
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