Biden Signs Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, in the East Room of the White House on June 17, 2021. From left, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Opal Lee, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), obscured, Vice President Kamala Harris, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). Evan Vucci/AP Photo

President Joe Biden on June 17 signed legislation making June 19, or Juneteenth, a federal holiday after the bill was approved by both chambers of Congress.

“Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and the promise of a brighter morning to come,” Biden said before signing the bill.