Category: North America

A state holiday that’s historically observed for Christopher Columbus will now honor Virginia’s native peoples. The Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam has announced that the state holiday on the second Monday in October usually observed as Christopher Columbus Day will also now honor indigenous peoples. For now, Columbus Day remains the office state holiday in […]

New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation (S19), which designates the third Friday in June as a State and public holiday, known as Juneteenth Day.  “It gives me great pride to celebrate emancipation and New Jersey’s great diversity by designating Juneteenth as an official State holiday.” said Governor Murphy. “Commemorating this date is just one component […]

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed legislation that officially declares June 19th a statewide holiday each year. The holiday will be observed as “Juneteenth Independence Day.” Baker said the new order in Massachusetts is an action to “recognize the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.” Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the […]

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has confirmed that the public holiday for Emancipation Day will be observed on Saturday, August 1st 2020. This is in accordance with the Holidays (Public General) Act, which states that “the 1st day of August (or in case the 1st day of August falls on a Sunday, then […]

New York’s governor has signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will propose legislation next year making June 19th a permanent state holiday. “It is a day we should all reflect upon. It is a […]

The Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam has signed a series of new measures into law aimed at expanding access to voting in the commonwealth. The new legislation included establishing Election Day as a holiday, CNN reports. “Voting is a fundamental right, and these new laws strengthen our democracy by making it easier to cast a […]

From next year, Mary Prince Day will be a public holiday in Bermuda observed on the Friday before the first Monday in August. This holiday takes place on the day after Emancipation Day and coincides with the second day of Cup Match, an annual cricket match between Somerset and St. George’s. The second day of […]