BUFFALO, N.Y. — Add the City of Buffalo to a growing list of governments and businesses declaring Juneteenth as a holiday for its employees.
Mayor Byron Brown made the announcement on Thursday noting the city is home to one of the largest annual Juneteenth celebrations in the country.
Juneteenth is celebrated every June 19 to mark the day in Texas back in 1865 when slaves were told they were free.
Buffalo will observe the holiday starting in 2021.
"I am proud to make June 19th a holiday for all City employees beginning in 2021. This day commemorates the end of slavery and is also a time to focus on advancing racial equity in our City and Nation. We must continue to work together to end racial injustice for not only one day, but 365 days a year."
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state workers.
Juneteenth is observed around the country every June 19 to mark the day enslaved workers in Texas were told they were free.
Cuomo added he will also introduce legislation to make it an official state holiday next year.
