
Thursday, June 19, is a federal and American Samoa Government (ASG) holiday to commemorate Juneteenth Independence Day.
Federal agencies like the Post Office will be closed, as well ASG departments and offices.
Governor Pulaalii, in his memo declaring Thurdsay as an ASG holiday, said, “Juneteenth Independence Day is a time to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. I encourage each of you to take a moment this Thursday to reflect on our nation’s difficult past, celebrate the progress we’ve made, and honor all those who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom and a more just society.”
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata also shared a message highlighting the significance of Juneteenth, which became an official national holiday following bipartisan congressional approval in 2021.
“On Juneteenth, we celebrate shared ideals of freedom that […] give us powerful unity as a country. Freedom is a cherished value that America’s founders declared a God-given right, but those blessings of freedom were not yet available to all. That freedom became the life’s mission and calling for many American abolitionists, but it did not become a nationwide reality until after hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in a long and bloody Civil War.
“The cause of freedom prevailed then and has been defended since. Our great nation, including our own Toa o Samoa, lifts up the enduring cause of freedom today throughout the world.
“On Juneteenth, we send our love and goodwill to African American countrymen and women […] [who] descend from that Civil War history. We celebrate ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ together, and our dedication to a strong, united country for the generations ahead.”
Historical Note: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. The date is in commemoration of June 19, 1865, when news of freedom finally reached the last known place practicing slavery in the United States—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan 1, 1863. The two largest Confederate armies surrendered in April 1865 to Union forces, effectively ending major combat in the Civil War.