Gloucester County Holiday to Be Observed Friday, June 17th in Commemoration of Juneteenth
Friday, June 17th, 2022 will be a County holiday in observance of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is the longest-running African-American holiday and honors the end of slavery in the United States. Annually, June 17th commemorates the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed.
The year following, freedmen in Texas organized “Jubilee Day” on June 19th, the first of many annual celebrations commemorating the event. Juneteenth recognizes Black culture and history through music, prayer services, barbecues, and other activities. In 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law to make Juneteenth an official state holiday.
“Recognizing our nations’ history is one of the most important things we can all do as Americans,” said Commissioner Jim Jefferson. “On Juneteenth, we honor the history and culture of the Black Americans who founded this holiday, and those who continue to celebrate it today.”
In commemoration of this holiday, all Gloucester County municipal offices will be closed on Friday, June 17, 2022.
###