Alabama Makes Juneteenth Official State Holiday

Governor Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 165, officially establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday in Alabama. The new law mandates the closure of state offices on June 19, commemorating the end of slavery and aligning Alabama’s observance with the federal holiday. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm and Sen. Bobby Singleton, and passed the Senate with a 13-5 vote, with many Republicans abstaining. Previous efforts by Black Democrats to make Juneteenth a standalone holiday had required pairing it with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday, a provision now removed. Governor Ivey had previously recognized Juneteenth through executive orders, but the new law makes this status permanent. Alabama still observes other Confederate-related holidays, but Juneteenth now stands as a distinct commemoration of emancipation.