PRESIDENT Joe Biden signed legislation in June of 2021 establishing a new federal holiday remembering the end of slavery.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas.
Read our Juneteenth live blog for the very latest news and updates…
Is the post office closed for Juneteenth?
June 19th is now a federal holiday, but Juneteenth will be observed by most federal employees on Friday, June 18th, in 2021 since June 19 lands on a Saturday.
The US Postal Service has announced it will continue regular service for both days.
Deputy Postmaster General Douglas Tulino wrote in a memo to USPS executives that while the organization is “fully supportive of annually observing and setting aside a day to recognize this historic event,” it is not possible to make the necessary changes on such short notice.
“We are part of the nation’s critical infrastructure and our customers are relying on us to deliver our essential services," Tulino wrote.
"Closing down our operations without providing appropriate time would lead to operational disruptions and be a disservice to our customers and those who rely upon us.
"For that reason, the Postal Service will be operating on June 18 and 19, 2021, on a normal schedule, serving our customers to the best of our ability.”
Organizational leaders will decide what steps will be needed for "future recognition" of the holiday.
“Once those discussions take place, we will update you on appropriate developments, but we reiterate that we are fully supportive of this important national holiday,” Tulino added.
Joe Biden signed into law a bill to make Juneteenth the 12th federal holiday.
The House of Representatives voted 415-14 on June 16 to send the bill to Biden after the Senate passed the bill unanimously the day before.
“This is a day of profound weight and profound power, a day in which we remember the moral stain, the terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take,” Biden said.
It is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr Day was created in 1983.
One of the federal holidays, Inauguration Day, happens every four years.
“Our federal holidays are purposely few in number and recognize the most important milestones," said Democratic New York Representative Carolyn Maloney.
“I cannot think of a more important milestone to commemorate than the end of slavery in the United States."
The 14 House Republicans who voted against the bill are Andy Biggs of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Doug LaMalfa of California, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom McClintock of California, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Mike Rogers of Alabama, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Chip Roy of Texas and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin.
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