OPINION: On Juneteenth, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made and work toward more

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Specifically, it marks the day on June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people in the state were now free.

For those who may not know, “Juneteenth” derives its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth.” Juneteenth.

Due to the commitment and determination of African Americans like Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Juneteenth has been gaining momentum as a recognized holiday in the United States in recent years.

Juneteenth is a holiday for many private sector employers. The U.S. Stock Market, including the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange, recognize Juneteenth, which means the financial markets in our great nation will be closed on Monday. Juneteenth is also a Bank Holiday, so most commercial banks and other financial institutions will be closed on Monday, as well.

On the federal level, a bill to establish Juneteenth as a holiday passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 15, 2021, and it passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 415-14 on June 16, 2021. The bill was signed into federal law by the President on June 17, 2021.

Additionally, Juneteenth has been observed as a permanent paid state and/or legal holiday in 28 states plus the District of Columbia. While celebrated locally for decades, Juneteenth recently became an official municipal holiday in Anchorage.

During the most recent legislative session, I introduced Senate Bill 22, which seeks to place Alaska in the company of the federal government and other states — states from the North and the South, the East and the West — who recognize the significance of Juneteenth to the people of this nation, by making Juneteenth a paid state holiday. While SB 22 did not pass the full Legislature in 2023, it did pass the Senate with enthusiastic bipartisan support, and we will resume our advocacy in the House when the legislative session begins in 2024.

Alaska, like many states in the country, has a diverse population with a rich cultural heritage. It is a place where people of all backgrounds and beliefs come together to celebrate their shared values of freedom, equality and justice. Juneteenth is an opportunity for us to learn about and appreciate the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout our history, in our nation, in our state and in our city. It is a chance to celebrate the progress we have made in the fight for equality and justice and to renew our commitment to continue the work.

Whether you, like me, have honored and celebrated Juneteenth for your entire life, or if you are learning about Juneteenth for the first time, please join in our community’s longstanding tradition of fellowship on this historic day. Anchorage’s annual Juneteenth festival features parades, fashion shows, health fairs and cookouts. Most importantly, let’s all join hands to celebrate, reflect and rejoice.

During his time in office, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has issued annual proclamations in support of Juneteenth. His words honor the day. I join with all of you who celebrate freedom and, in the words of the governor, ask “all Alaskans to reflect on the importance of this day marking the end of slavery and to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of guaranteeing liberty and equal rights for all Americans.”

I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this important day with you.

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, of Anchorage, represents District G in the Alaska State Senate. She is the prime sponsor of a measure to make Juneteenth a state holiday in Alaska.

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