House recognizes June 19 as Juneteenth through Hill-Evans resolution
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans June 18, 2026
HARRISBURG, June 18– Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to recognize the holiday of “Juneteenth” in Pennsylvania, through a resolution introduced by State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York.
House Resolution 499 designates June 19, 2026, as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” in commemoration of the date on which slavery was finally abolished in all regions of the United States.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and ensure freedom for the last remaining enslaved African Americans.
Notably, this was more than two years after President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation.
On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Hill-Evans said she introduced the bill to provide an opportunity for the residents of this Commonwealth to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped our nation.
“Juneteenth marks a pivotal moment in American history,” said Hill-Evans, chair of the House State Government Committee. “This day symbolizes the powerful celebration of freedom, resilience and African American culture while honoring the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.”