As a June 19th holiday that celebrates the end of slavery was made a federal one, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers honored the day in an address to his constituents. Evers said in a speech about Juneteenth, the now federal holiday, “we recognize the trials Black Americans have overcome and celebrate the resilience, vibrancy, and countless contributions of Black Wisconsinites.” He went on to say that work toward equity and justice in this state is far from finished. 

The address came on the same day that President Joe Biden signed legislation that declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. The day pays tribute to June 19th, 1865, which is the day Union soldiers shared the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas