[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today signed into law legislation establishing Juneteenth as a State holiday. Senate File 13 commemorates June 19 as the official end of slavery in the United States.

“Juneteenth is an important opportunity for communities across the state and nation to celebrate freedom, recognize the history and contributions of Black Americans, and recommit to building a more just and equitable society for everyone.” said Governor Walz. “Creating Juneteenth as a state holiday is a long overdue celebration of independence.”

“Juneteenth is a powerful celebration that encourages us to reflect on our shared history and celebrate the innumerable contributions of Black Americans in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “This holiday reminds us that freedom is not fully realized until all of us are truly free. It’s an opportunity to teach the truth of our shared history and recommit to doing everything in our power to deconstruct generations of systemic racism so that every Black Minnesotan can be afforded the freedom and justice that is long overdue. I have tremendous gratitude to all those who made the Juneteenth holiday a reality in our state.”

Juneteenth recognizes the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1965, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been first publicly read in Texas by Union soldiers. The announcement came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Lee's surrender in April 1865.

Governor Walz also ceremonially signed the CROWN Act into law today alongside bill authors, legislative leaders, and advocates.