TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Apr 21, 2023

The Tennessee House yesterday gave final approval to legislation to designate Juneteenth as a legal state holiday, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Juneteenth, already a federal holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued a proclamation declaring the freedom of Black slaves in Texas. Juneteenth is currently recognized as a Day of Special Observance in Tennessee. Legislation making it a legal state holiday passed the Senate last month. "I'm very appreciative of the legislature passing the bill. We expect the governor to sign it," said Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, a Black Chattanooga Democrat who supported the bill.