LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source ) – June 19th will likely become a state holiday in Michigan after this legislative session, commemorating the end of slavery following the end of the Civil War. 

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On Wednesday, the Michigan House supported a bill from its own chamber, House Bill 4457, and that of the Senate, making Juneteeth a state holiday. 

Primary House Bill sponsor, Representative Helena Scott (D-Detroit) also spoke on behalf of her bill. 

“The bill would bring Juneteenth on par with other state and federal holidays as both a bank and judicial holiday in Michigan,” she said, “The oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S., Juneteenth is often attributed to the ratification of the 13th Amendment; however, it is historically inaccurate.” 

Rather, the celebration of Juneteenth refers to a time when union soldiers finally reached Texas to deliver the news of the Civil Wars ending according to Rep. Scott. 

“As Juneteenth is actually a celebration of when the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended the enslaved people, and they were not free.”  

The House Fiscal Agency further elaborated on the bill’s impact. 

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“The legislature would encourage every individual in Michigan to pause on Juneteenth and reflect on the strong survival instinct of African-American slaves and the excitement and great joy with which African-Americans first celebrated the emancipation from slavery.” 

Additionally, the holiday has been recognized by every state as a holiday in some capacity according to the Congressional Research Service. 

“At least 22 states along with the District of Columbia have designated Juneteenth as a permanent paid and/or legal holiday through legislation or executive action,” the CRS said, “Some states have made Juneteenth a paid holiday through a state statute that observes federal holidays or other days designated by the President as state holidays or by specifically directing the governor to make an annual proclamation.” 

The bill received bipartisan support, 105 yes votes to 4 no votes. 

Though the bills have not been signed into law, there are already a number of Michigan businesses that have already announced that they will be closed in observance of Juneteenth including the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.  

Some members of faith communities in the Greater Lansing area alongside the Justice League of the Greater Lansing Michigan will also be convening on the Capitol steps between 12-1 pm on Monday, June 19, to provide a public apology to descendants of enslaved African Americans.