Colorado lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 139, designating Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery and specifically commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when approximately 250,000 black people who remained enslaved in Texas were freed by executive decree. As June 19 is a Sunday this year, Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 20. Metropolitan State University of Denver will close June 20 to allow employees and students to take part in community celebrations. Juneteenth is now MSU Denver’s 13th paid holiday.
The June 19, 1865, executive decree came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, which declared the freedom of all enslaved people in the then-Confederate States. To that point, border states and states that had seceded from the Union had not honored the proclamation, and it was not enforceable in those states until the end of the Civil War. News of emancipation inspired spontaneous celebrations among newly freed people that began the tradition now known as Juneteenth.
“This holiday has been celebrated in Black communities for years, and Denver has one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the country,” said Russell Noles, board chair. “So, this is a holiday that’s been around for a long, long time.”
Metropolitan State University of Denver leaders, inspired by direct advocacy from the campus’ tri-institutional Black student organization B L A C X E R A, joined state lawmakers in advocating for establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Student leaders from B L A C X E R A and MSU Denver Champions formally testified to the legislature in support of the bill, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the history the holiday commemorates. Since 2020, the University has offered employees the opportunity recognize Juneteenth by engaging in activities that expand their awareness and understanding of the holiday and of racial injustice and inequality in hopes of creating a more equitable University community for all. Additionally, trustees unanimously approved an official resolution in support of SB 139 at their March meeting.
Stay tuned to the Early Bird for more ways to honor the Juneteenth holiday.