Raleigh joins Wake County and adds Juneteenth as an official city holiday
The city of Raleigh will recognize Juneteenth as an official city holiday.
On the heels of the Fourth of July, it’s time the city also celebrates the end of slavery, City Council member Corey Branch said Tuesday.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
“As we continue to right some wrongs and recognize the significance that all citizens have played into the founding of this country, and the development and growth of this country, one of the things that we have not done is take the time to pause to recognize and celebrate those that received their freedom,” Branch said during a Raleigh City Council meeting.
“Time to pause and remember those who came before us,” Branch said.
With the addition of Juneteenth, the city recognizes 10 holidays.
The decision comes a day after the Wake County Board of Commissioners made a similar decision and as other Triangle cities and counties debate similar moves. The Hillsborough Town Board voted to add Juneteenth to its list of official town holidays last week.
This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 5:19 PM.
