CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has announced that June 19, Juneteenth, will be a state holiday for state workers.
“It’s a day that celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States and in recognition I have declared Monday, June 19, as a state holiday for all state offices and all state offices will be closed,” Justice said at his Wednesday media briefing.
Justice’s decision makes a long holiday weekend for state workers with Tuesday, June 20, West Virginia Day, already being a day off.
“We’ll get a real long weekend for great, great state employees who are very deserving and put in a lot of licks every day,” Justice said.
President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
The state Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs will host a Juneteenth Celebration on the Kanawha Boulevard side of the state capitol on Saturday, June 17, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.