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Joe Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act
Photo:
CARLOS BARRIA / REUTERS
In the USA, the »Juneteenth« day of remembrance, which marks the end of slavery, will be celebrated as a national holiday in future.
President Joe Biden signed a bill to that effect after it was passed by both Houses of Congress in the White House.
The end of slavery will be commemorated on June 19th in the USA.
On that day in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation for the Liberation of Slaves in Texas had been made known.
Juneteenth has long been a public holiday in the southern state and a few others.
The word is a composition of the English words for June and 19.
“National holidays are important.
There are days when we as a nation have decided to pause and take stock, "said US Vice President Kamala Harris at the ceremony in the White House.
“We have to learn from our history.
And we have to teach our children our story. "
Biden explained that this day is about remembering the "moral stain," "America's original sin."
"When we remember these moments, we begin to heal and become stronger."
A Republican senator initially failed to pass the bill last year.
Ron Johnson from the state of Wisconsin had given concerns about the follow-up costs as the reason.
However, he gave up his resistance this week.
"Juneteenth" is now the eleventh official national holiday - and the first new holiday of its kind in 38 years.
aar / dpa
