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  • Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States, is observed annually on June 19.
  • Juneteenth was formally declared a federal holiday in 2021 by former President Joe Biden.
  • While banks and some mail services will be closed, other services like grocery and retail stores will remain open.

Juneteenth has been commemorated as a federally recognized holiday since 2021, providing millions of Americans with a paid day off to honor the end of slavery.

As a federal holiday, many businesses and services, including the post office and banks, will be closed.

Although it is the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the United States. The holiday has deep cultural and historical roots, dating back to the post-Civil War era.

Here’s what you need to know about the holiday and its significance.

When is Juneteenth 2025? How is it celebrated?

Observed annually on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in Texas following the Civil War. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Thursday.

According to National Geographic, early Juneteenth celebrations included church services, public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation and social events like rodeos and dances. 

However, due to segregation and the Jim Crow laws of the era, many southern Black communities were forced to celebrate Juneteenth on the outskirts of town. To ensure a safe gathering place, Juneteenth groups often collectively purchased plots of land within the city for their celebrations. These parks were commonly named Emancipation Parks, many of which still exist today.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated similarly as when it first began, through multiple community events such prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, picnics, barbecues and festivals.

June 2025 holiday schedule: Summer solstice, Pride Month, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, more

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, often referred to as the nation’s “second Independence Day,” is a holiday that celebrates the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation, effective January 1, 1863, declared enslaved people in the Confederacy free.

However, many in Texas — a Southern stronghold — remained unaware until Union General Gordon Granger announced it in Galveston on June 19, 1865.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” Granger declared, according to National Geographic. “This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”

As newly freed Texans began moving to neighboring states, Juneteenth celebrations spread across the South and beyond.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?

Yes, Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law officially designating it as such.

What is open, closed on Juneteenth 2025?

  • Banks: Closed. Most financial institutions follow the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule, which includes Juneteenth.
  • United States Postal Service: Closed. Juneteenth is observed as a federal holiday by the USPS.
  • FedEx: FedEx store locations will be open; all services will be operational.
  • UPS: UPS store locations will be open; UPS domestic ground, air and international services will be operational.
  • Grocery stores and restaurants: Grocery stores and restaurants are generally open on Juneteenth. Major chains such as Walmart, Target, Costco, McDonald’s, and Chick-fil-A will be operating on the holiday. However, it’s recommended to check with your local store for specific hours, as they may vary by location.
  • Retail stores: Retail stores are also generally open on Juneteenth, though it is recommended to call ahead of time for specific store hours.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana