Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill recognizing Juneteenth as state holiday

Juneteenth is an official Alabama state holiday as of Thursday.Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 165, marking the annual holiday on June 19.Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865, that African Americans in Texas were notified of their freedom by Union soldiers. Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. —

Juneteenth is an official Alabama state holiday as of Thursday.

Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 165, marking the annual holiday on June 19.

Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865, that African Americans in Texas were notified of their freedom by Union soldiers.

Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021.