Murphy signs a measure making Juneteenth a holiday in New Jersey
The measure was approved in July by the state legislature amid worldwide protests and rallies for racial justice stemming from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
TRENTON — Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation that makes Juneteenth a state holiday.
The Democratic governor signed the measure during an online ceremony Thursday night.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that the Civil War had ended and they were free; they were among the last to hear the news. The legislation Murphy signed makes the third Friday in June a holiday.
The measure was approved in July by the Legislature amid worldwide protests and rallies for racial justice following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd, who was Black, died after a white police officer held him down with a knee on his neck for about nine minutes.