In response to the new federal “Juneteenth” holiday which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said he will work with the state legislature to examine making it a formal state holiday as well.
Gordon signed a proclamation recognizing the significance of the new holiday noting that while most federal employees will get the day off of work on Friday, state workers will be at work as normal as only the state Legislature can set state holidays.
The holiday recognizes the emancipation of Blacks who had previously been held as slaves.
Wyoming has recognized Juneteenth since 2003 and has established it as a holiday on the third Saturday of June.
“Freedom is always a cause for celebration and this is a momentous day in our nation’s history. I encourage people to observe this commemoration of the full enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, which embodies the values of all Americans,” Gov. Gordon said.
The legislation making Juneteenth a national holiday passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate and by a 415 – 14 vote in the House.
It’s been 35 years since the last federal holiday was created. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was first celebrated federally in 1986.
There are now 10 federal holidays in the U.S.