Is This Friday Juneteenth a Real Holiday?

Juneteenth is this Friday, June 19. It is considered the longest-running African-American holiday and has been called America's second Independence Day.

WHY IS JUNETEENTH HONORED?

It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War.

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IS IT A HOLIDAY?

Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday ever since former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

👇 BELOW: 5 GREAT WAYS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH! 👇

WHO IS CLOSED?

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Just as other federal holidays are honored, all government offices and most services will be closed. That includes city, county, state and federal offices, courts, and the postal service since there will not be home mail delivery that day. But FedEX will be open and delivering packages. Also, you can bet those friendly Amazon drivers will be at your doorstep.

Banks will be closed for in-person business, but don't fret, all ATMs will operate as usual.

Man using a ATM

The City of Grand Rapids announced that they will close all their offices to honor the holiday, but many city services will still operate. They announced on their Facebook Page:

Most City of Grand Rapids offices will be closed Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth Freedom Day. ✊
📚 All Grand Rapids Public Library locations will be open during normal business hours. The Yankee Clipper Branch is closed for building maintenance.
🚛 City refuse, recycling and yard waste curbside collections will take place June 19, as scheduled, with no delays.
🍃 The City’s yard waste drop-off site at 2001 Butterworth St. SW will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 19.
▶️ City offices will resume normal business hours Monday, June 22.

WHO IS OPEN?

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Basically everyone else will be open as usual. Retail, grocery stores, restaurants and more, will be open normal hours.