CT Law Creating Juneteenth Holiday Signed By Lamont

HARTFORD — A new holiday marking an important moment in American history became official last week and it will be officially celebrated June 19, 2023.

Gov. Ned Lamont Friday announced he had signed into law Public Act 22-128.

That historic signing establishes a new legal state holiday on June 19 known as Juneteenth Independence Day.

Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day and it is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

While the Emancipation Proclamation became effective on Jan. 1, 1863, the news took time to make its way around the country.

As a result, it wasn't until June 19, 1865, when the Union army brought word of the proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, making them among the last to be freed.

“Juneteenth marks an important day in our nation that for far too long has gone underrecognized and has not been truly appreciated to the extent that it should be as a major part of United States history,” Lamont said. “While some elected officials in other states are working to block efforts to teach the true history of our nation, it fills me with pride that here in Connecticut we are embracing that history and working to educate everyone about how our nation was built and the significance of what this day means.

"Honoring and celebrating Juneteenth is a reaffirmation that a democratic society is not great because it is the perfect way to govern people, but because people have the ability to fix the imperfections of government and create a stronger, fairer and more just future.”

The effective date of the legislation as approved by the General Assembly Oct. 1, 2022, meaning the first time Juneteenth Independence Day is legally recognized as a state holiday in Connecticut will be June 19, 2023.

By law, legal state holidays are bank and credit union holidays, during which time, bank and credit union transactions are generally suspended.

The decision to close public schools on Juneteenth Independence Day will be made by each local school district.

By law, each local and regional board of education that remains open on a legal state holiday must hold a suitable educational program in observance of the holiday.

The legislation was approved with the near-unanimous support of lawmakers in the Connecticut General Assembly, by a vote of 148-1 in the House of Representatives and 35-1 in the Senate.

For Gov. Ned Lamont's full announcement, click on this link.