At the recent legislative session, state lawmakers passed legislation making Juneteenth a state holiday in Nevada. Governor Joe Lombardo signed AB140 into law on June 6. On Monday, June 19, the courts will commemorate Juneteenth. The Regional Justice Center and Family Court will be closed on June 19, and resume operations on Tuesday, June 20.

On the state of Nevada website a proclamation includes a brief historical summary that led to the newly established holiday in the Silver State.

The proclamation states:

WHEREAS, Juneteenth Day continues to be the most recognized African American holiday observance, also known as Emancipation Day, Emancipation Celebration, Freedom Day, Jun-Jun, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, and Juneteenth; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is nationally recognized as the date when freedom was announced to some of the last slaves in America by General Gordon Granger, who arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number Three, almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill in 1948 proclaiming February 1 as ‘National Freedom Day’ in honor of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the first step in nationally commemorating the freeing of slaves and freedom for all; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth Day commemorates the survival and determination of African Americans through extreme adversity, hardship, and triumph, and Nevada is one of 47 states to officially recognize Juneteenth Day as a state holiday or observance; and

WHEREAS, dating back to 1866, African Americans in Virginia City were documented as business and property owners, playing an important role in the early mining and development of the Silver State, including the building of the Hoover Dam; and

WHEREAS, despite achieving significant steps towards freedom, African Americans still face significant challenges that hinder upon our nation’s promise to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth is also a time to reflect and renew our commitment to the vast work that remains ahead on our country’s journey to achieve a more perfect union, while affirmatively denouncing hate, racism, and bigotry; and

WHEREAS, all races and ethnicities, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries of origin, share in a common love of and respect for freedom, as well as the determination to protect their right to freedom through the democratic institutions by which the tenets of freedom are guaranteed and protected, and we call on Nevadans to reflect and come together to end inequality; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada calls upon news media, educators, and governmental officers to bring attention to the historical significance of the day when the last slaves in the United States were emancipated and the significant contributions of African Americans to the Silver State and the United States of America;