News > Juneteenth: An Official Federal Holiday

Juneteenth: An Official Federal Holiday

Synergy is pleased to share the wonderful news that Juneteenth (June 19th) has been declared an official federal holiday as of June 17th, when President Joe Biden signed the bill at 4:00 p.m. ET.

The History Behind Juneteenth

Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day) is a day set aside to commemorate the day that the news of slavery’s abolishment was officially carried to the entire United States.

Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued years before, outlawing slavery, the Union troops were not able to travel to and enforce the law in Texas, one of the last rebel states, until June 19th, 1865. On that day, Major General Gordon Granger issued the order that all slaves were now free.

What It Means Today

This weekend we especially celebrate Juneteenth because it signifies the day freedom for our African-American brothers and sisters was at last announced everywhere in the states. Commemorating the day as a federal holiday shows a nation’s initiative to acknowledge their history yet look to the future as we celebrate and recognize equality among humanity.

On this important and happy day in America’s history, it is with great joy that Synergy wishes our employees and the rest of our country a Happy Juneteenth, and, for the first time ever on this occasion of Juneteenth, a happy holiday.