CHICAGO — Saturday marks the first official Juneteenth as a federal holiday and Chicagoans are celebrating and honoring the day, that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, throughout the city.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed a bill that made Illinois the 47th state to recognize the day. For the first time, June 19 will also be a paid Cook County holiday.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the City Council Black Caucus and the Black Remembrance Project along with other elected officials participated in a Juneteeth flag raising ceremony on Monday at Chicago’s Daley Plaza.
President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a bill that was passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The Senate approved it unanimously; only 14 House Republicans — many representing states that were part of the slave-holding Confederacy in the 19th century — opposed the measure.
For a list of events happening around the city visit choosechicago.org.
