Capitol Building St Paul Minnesota
Government offices, the court system, public schools and post offices are closed in Minnesota today in observance of Juneteenth.
The state and federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery in Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday in 2021 since Martin Luther King Junior Day in 1983.
Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation this spring declaring June 19th a state holiday. Governor Tim Walz and U-S Senator Tina Smith are attending the Juneteenth celebration today in St. Paul.