Juneteenth will be an official state holiday in Michigan under legislation on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The state House adopted the bills today.
June 19th has been a federal holiday since 2021. Juneteenth is commemorated as the day slavery was officially ended in the U.S. in 1865.
Democratic Representative Helena Scott is a bill sponsor who says Juneteenth has been given short shrift.
“History matters and, unfortunately, there has been a long history of whitewashing history – a long history of creating and passing down historical narratives that leave out minority communities.” said Scott.
The bills were adopted with wide bipartisan support. Four Republicans voted “no.“ Governor Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.