Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation declaring Juneteenth as a legal state holiday beginning this year.
Juneteenth Independence Day takes place on June 19 every year - it's the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., according to the governor's office.
“For far too long, Juneteenth and the end of slavery have not been truly appreciated as a major part of United States history to the extent that they should,” Lamont said. “Embracing this history is an important component of educating everyone about how our nation was built and the significance of what this day means. When we ignore the impact of slavery, we ignore who we are as Americans and the extraordinary injustice that it created."
"Making Juneteenth a legal state holiday does not erase the cruelty of slavery, however it makes it clear that Connecticut acknowledges this gross injustice in our collective history and recognizes its impact," he continued.
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The law took effect on Oct. 1, 2022. The governor said the decision to close schools on Juneteenth will be made by each school district. Lamont's office said that each local and regional board of education that remains open will have to provide a "suitable educational program" to observe the holiday.
“That was the true day. Freedom Day when everyone in the United States was free. Chattel slavery had officially ended, and we could start moving forward,” West Hartford equity Coordinator Adrienne Billings-Smith said.
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She says in recent years, more towns across the state have held Juneteenth celebrations allowing more people to understand why the holiday is so important.
“You gather more support. You gather more knowledge. You gather a more empathetic society,” she said.
A society Billings-Smith hopes can take the themes of Juneteenth with them going forward.
“This is where we can sit there and go look at us. Look at what we’re doing to do better and be better because we know about our history,” she said.
If Juneteenth falls on a Saturday, the legal state holiday will be on the prior Friday and if it falls on a Sunday, the legal state holiday will be on the following Monday, the governor's office said.
State offices will be closed for the day, as well as most banks and credit unions.
The legislation passed last year with near unanimous support in the General Assembly, with a vote of 148 to 1 in the House and 35 to 1 in the Senate.
