Juneteenth is a federal and state holiday in Illinois. Banks, post offices and other federal and county buildings will be closed on Thursday, June 19. Organizations covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act have also been directed fly flags at half-staff to mark the holiday. Note that Vernon Hills Village Hall and Public Works will remain operational.
The Village of Vernon Hills will celebrate the Juneteenth federal and state holiday by displaying boulevard banners throughout the Village during the month of June. The bursting star on the banner is widely used today as the symbol of Juneteenth. The imagery is attributed to Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf.
The Juneteenth name is a combination of June and Nineteenth. This day is also called Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day or Black Independence Day. The holiday marks the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that slavery was abolished.
Juneteenth was first celebrated in 1866. Many states have celebrated Juneteenth holidays for decades – well before the 2021 legislation creating the federal holiday. Juneteenth is also recognized in other countries as a day marking emancipation and freedom from oppression of any type.
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