PBS NewsHour

The significance of Juneteenth, US's newest federal holiday

As of this Friday, Juneteenth — the day marking the end of slavery — is a federal holiday. Typically observed on the 19th of June, most federal employees will be able to observe it a day early because it lands on a Saturday this year. After a decades-long effort by activists, President Joe Biden signed it into law Thursday, making it the first new federal holiday since 1983. Amna Nawaz reports.

The significance of Juneteenth, US's newest federal holiday

6m 18s

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