Pennsylvania governor makes Juneteenth a state holiday

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) on Wednesday declared Juneteenth a state holiday.

“Proud to designate June 19 as #Juneteeth National Freedom Day to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States,” Wolf tweeted.

“On this day, let us recognize the importance of continuing to build a nation that truly reflects the self-evident truth that all people are created equal,” he added.

Proud to designate June 19 as #Juneteeth National Freedom Day to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.

On this day, let us recognize the importance of continuing to build a nation that truly reflects the self-evident truth that all people are created equal. pic.twitter.com/fVKaiUqYUw

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) June 19, 2019

Juneteenth, June 19, marks the day slaves were emancipated in Texas, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

{mosads}This year’s Juneteenth was accompanied by the first hearing on slavery reparations in over a decade.

Pennsylvania joins 45 other states and the District of Columbia in celebrating the holiday.

Only Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana do not.