The Linn County Board of Supervisors officially added Juneteenth to County employees' holiday calendar, effective in 2022.
“I am incredibly proud to be here today, and to be part of this board that is officially recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday. This decision sends an important and timely message to our staff and the community that Juneteenth is a significant historical marker, and that it’s worth observing and remembering why this holiday exists,” said Linn County Board of Supervisor Chair Stacey Walker.
Juneteenth – June 19 – is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The U.S. Senate passed a bill on June 15, 2021, that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday in the United States. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on June 17, 2021.