While Juneteenth has been a federal holiday since 2021, this year marks the first time it’s being officially observed as a state holiday in Alaska.
Also known as “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2023, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed Senate Bill 22 into law, making Juneteenth a paid public holiday across Alaska. At the time, bill sponsor Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson of Anchorage said, “Juneteenth is a profound reminder that freedom is priceless… By recognizing this day as an official state holiday, we reaffirm our commitment to liberty and justice for all.”…