NJ Observing Juneteenth Today, While Federal Holiday is Monday

By Jim Pytell, Managing Editor On Jun 16, 2023

While Juneteenth will be observed as a federal holiday on Monday, New Jersey observed the holiday today. Three years ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation which declared the third Friday in June a state holiday, a year before President Joe Biden signed similar legislation marking June 19 a federal holiday.

The day celebrates the end of slavery in the US, when, on June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them.

According to Pew Research Center, this year, at least 28 states and the District of Columbia will legally recognize Juneteenth as a public state holiday.

“Commemorating this date is just one component of our collective approach to end a generational cycle of pain and injustice that has gone on for far too long,” Murphy said when initially passing the legislation. “Every Juneteenth, we will celebrate the end of the physical chains which once held Black Americans down. While more work lies ahead to undo the oppression that remains, Juneteenth is an important marker that reminds us of our mission to create a society that enables our black communities to achieve the full equality which they deserve.”

All New Jersey state offices, courts and Motor Vehicle Commission offices are closed on Friday. The post office is conducting business as usual on Friday, and will observe the federal holiday on Monday June 19.

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