Juneteenth Endorsed As Municipal Holiday In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — Juneteenth is now an official municipal holiday in Manchester.

The Board of Directors made the decision to add June 19 in its meeting Tuesday. It is the 14th officials holiday in town. The move still needs approval from local unions.

The day is is intended to recognize "the nation’s celebration of freedom."

The observance will likely commence in 2021, town officials said.

Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union soldiers marched into Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the end of slavery and the Civil War. That was about 30 months after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Gov. Ned Lamont paved the way for the holiday this year when he issued a proclamation recognizing June 19 as "Juneteenth Day" in the state.

In his proclamation, Lamont said the day also "emphasizes education, self-improvement and the myriad achievements of the African American community."