Juneteenth

Text of Public Law 117-17, officially designating Juneteenth National Independence Day as a legal public holiday

Includes a brief history and a table of the 49 states plus DC that officially recognize Juneteenth with the year of recognition and citation to the statute or resolution. Congressional resolutions, select congressional speeches, and Presidential proclamations and remarks are also cited.

Texas was the first state to formally recognize Juneteenth. Link provides legislative history documents including committee reports and text of the Texas state law passed on June 7, 1979 declaring Juneteenth - Emancipation Day - a state holiday in Texas

2003 resolution by the DC City Council recognizing June 19th as "the most recognized African-American holiday observance in the United States."

Overview of Juneteenth from the Galveston Historical Foundation including a scan of General Order No. 3, informing the people of Texas that all slaves are free.

Summary of actions in Congress on the original resolution brought before the House to celebrate the end of slavery and acknowledge the importance of Juneteenth. Passed 419-0 in the House, but received no attention in the Senate.