Last week, President Joe Biden signed a bill creating a Federal holiday to celebrate Juneteenth. Juneteenth originated June 19, 1865, in Galveston Bay, Texas to commemorate the day that news finally reached every African American that their legal status had changed from enslaved to freed by Federal law, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in the secessionist Confederate States on January 1, 1863.
This Juneteenth, we reflect on our shared American history and recognize the struggle of many resilient African American individuals who fought for an equitable life. Every advancement gained by those fighting against oppression, gives us all a little more freedom to pursue the best start possible. Today, we rejoice that we have gained a little more humanity, decency and dignity.
Wu Yee will honor and celebrate this day every year moving forward as a paid holiday on June 19th for staff, if it falls on a weekday, or the following weekday, if it falls on a weekend. Because this is long overdue, we do not want to miss an opportunity to acknowledge this important day in our history. This year, July 2, will be a designated paid holiday for Wu Yee staff to recognize Juneteenth, the day African Americans were freed from slavery in the United States. Our offices will be closed this year on Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5 in observance of our Federal holidays.
