MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Wednesday, Alabama’s lawmakers moved forward with a significant decision, approving a bill to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, marking an important development in acknowledging a pivotal moment in American history. The state Senate voted 13-5 in favor of the measure, which is now awaiting the decision of Governor Kay Ivey, who will choose to either sign it into law or veto it.
For the previous four years, Governor Ivey has used her executive authority to declare Juneteenth a state holiday temporarily. This new legislation aims to solidify the date of June 19 as a permanent fixture in Alabama’s calendar of holidays.
Juneteenth commemorates a significant day on June 19, 1865, when enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, were informed by Union soldiers that they were free, which occurred two months following the conclusion of the Civil War. This day has held federal holiday status since 2021.
Should Governor Ivey sign the bill, Alabama’s state offices would close annually on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth, aligning with the closure practices already observed for other state holidays.
The legislation was propelled forward by Republican Representative Rick Rehm and previously passed through the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 85-4 vote. Interestingly, Alabama senators passed the bill without deliberation; however, some Republican members of the 35-seat chamber chose to abstain from voting on the matter.
Currently, Alabama honors three Confederate-related holidays, during which state offices are closed. These include Confederate Memorial Day in April, the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in June, and the joint observance of Robert E. Lee Day along with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January.