Does nc recognize juneteenth as a holiday

Q: Does North Carolina recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday?

North Carolina isnt alone in its lack of legislation on Juneteenth; only 24 states and the District of Columbia recognize it as a paid holiday.

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan covers North Carolina state government and politics at The News & Observer. She previously covered Durham, and has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.

Juneteenth

The Juneteenth Flag

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 by activist Ben “Boston Ben” Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF). He collaborated with others including artist and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf. The Juneteenth flag is laden with symbolism that goes beyond liberty and freedom. From the deeply reflective history of the celebration that began in 1865 to the present and future significance of justice and equality for all Black people, this flag tells a powerful story.

To start, the flag depicts the traditional colors of the American flag—red, white, and blue. This sends the clear message that it too is very much an American flag. The colors also denote that enslaved people were indeed Americans and descendants of enslaved Americans. Beyond the colors, the three symbols depicted in the flag represent:

The Arc where the colors red and blue converge and horizontally cross the flag represents a new horizon, fresh new opportunities and a promising future for Black Americans. It evokes a call to look toward the horizon where hope awaits.
The Star has dual meanings. It represents Texas, the Lone Star State, where Juneteenth was first celebrated after the last remaining enslaved people were notified of their freedom—two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. But it also signifies the freedom of Black people in all 50 states of America.
The Burst or Nova that encircles the star signifies a brand-new start, the birth of a new day and a new beginning not only for enslaved people in Galveston but for all Black Americans.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This annual holiday recognizes the events of June 19, 1865, when news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, freeing enslaved people in the furthest reaches of the South. The event took place two and a half years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

New Webinar Coming Soon

Juneteenth: African American Freedom Celebrations in the Era of Slavery and Emancipation

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 | 1 – 2 p.m.

This webinar will be available on our YouTube channel after the presentation.

North Carolina’s Liberation Story (Recorded June 17, 2021)

This on-demand webinar from Angela Thorpe, Director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, explores how enslaved people experienced liberation, and how Black people liberated themselves and others between 1861-1865 in North Carolina. Viewers will also learn about the various sites, spaces, landscapes and people that are connected to these liberation stories.

Does North Carolina recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday?

North Carolina isn't alone in its lack of legislation on Juneteenth; only 24 states and the District of Columbia recognize it as a paid holiday.

Do North Carolina state employees get Juneteenth off?

Governor Cooper Provides a Day of Personal Observance Leave for State Employees Eligible employees may request this leave for a day of cultural, religious or personal significance including Juneteenth.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday for all states?

Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. All 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or observance, and at least 21 states and the District of Columbia have designated Juneteeth as a permanent paid and/or legal holiday through legislation or executive action.

Is Juneteenth a mandatory holiday?

Many private employers are following suit, although they are not legally required to give employees time off. Also, although Juneteenth is not yet an official state holiday in California, employers should treat Juneteenth in the same manner as all other federal holidays.