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He said that June 19 will be recognized as a legal state holiday known as "Juneteenth Independence Day" effective October of this year.
This means Juneteenth Independence Day will be legally recognized as a state holiday in Connecticut for the first time on Tuesday, June 19, 2023.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the announcement reads.
“Juneteenth marks an important day in our nation that for far too long has gone underrecognized and has not been truly appreciated to the extent that it should be as a major part of United States history,” Lamont said. “While some elected officials in other states are working to block efforts to teach the true history of our nation, it fills me with pride that here in Connecticut we are embracing that history and working to educate everyone about how our nation was built and the significance of what this day means."
Lamont said the decision to close public schools on Juneteenth Independence Day will be made by individual school districts.
Local and regional boards of education that remain open on legal state holidays are required to hold an educational program in observance of the holiday, state officials said.
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