The first new federal holiday since 1983 was created today when President Joe Biden signed a law designating June 19th as Juneteenth Independence Day.
The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
This morning Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga issued a memorandum declaring tomorrow June 18 as an ASG holiday to mark this new federal holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is commemorated on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Monday, the holiday is observed on the following Monday.
Governor Lemanu said, “Juneteenth Independence Day is a time to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. I encourage you all to take time this weekend to remember our dark past and embrace the hope and progress that the present has brought us. We also honor all those who have died in pursuit of a more perfect union.”
