Title
Juneteenth Holiday
Action
Action:
Adopt a resolution to establish Juneteenth Independence Day as an annually recognized city holiday in which city offices will be closed.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Brent Cagle, City Manager’s Office
Sheila Simpson, Human Resources
Explanation
§ June 19, 1865 is the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern States, more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
§ Juneteenth Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of Texas, became a federal observed holiday on June 17, 2021, and is now recognized as a holiday or observance by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
§ The proposed resolution serves to:
- Recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day;
- Support the continued celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day in observance of the end of slavery as part of the history and heritage of the United States;
- Designate June 19, 2023, as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in which the City of Charlotte offices will observe the holiday and be closed; and
- Establish “Juneteenth Independence Day” as an annually observed holiday for the City of Charlotte.
§ If Juneteenth is approved, this would bring the City of Charlotte to 12 observed paid calendared holidays and one paid Personal Holiday. When combined, this is equivalent to the number of paid observed holidays granted by Mecklenburg County, i.e., 13 paid holidays.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Resolution