New National Holiday

[canadyjd]

There has been some talk about making “Juneteenth” a national holiday. What do you think?

I did not know what Juneteenth was until today. It seems to be a day to celebrated the end of slavery in the US and freedom for Americans of African descent, if I understand correctly.

I am unsure right now and would like some input.

peace to you

 

[Salty]

The reason for calling it Juneteenth is because of slow info - (ie no radio or tv) and it took some time to
get the word out that the War Between the States was over - (at least for all practical purposes) The last actual surrender was 6 November 1865, in the United Kingdom

If it is made a holiday - then we should drop another one -

and FWIW - here in New York, it would come right at the time of the end of year
- High School Exams and NY State Regents.

 

[alexander284]

I'm certain employees of the Federal government would love to have another paid holiday (especially just prior to our Independence Day)!

 

[Adonia]

There has been some talk about making “Juneteenth” a national holiday. What do you think?

I did not know what Juneteenth was until today. It seems to be a day to celebrated the end of slavery in the US and freedom for Americans of African descent, if I understand correctly.

I am unsure right now and would like some input.

peace to you

By all means, the removal of a people from bondage is a time to celebrate. At the same time we can recognize all those who did the fighting and dying that made Juneteenth a reality.

 

[alexander284]

Just what I need: another day when mail isn't delivered, the DMV is closed, the banks are closed, and retailers have another "special sale."

 

[Salty]

But most everything is open on Veterans Day

 

[carpro]

At the same time we can recognize all those who did the fighting and dying that made Juneteenth a reality.

That's not going to happen. All monuments and memorials are in the process or being scourged from existence as we speak.

 

[Salty]

and if you dont celebrate it - than you will be called a racist

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I like the idea. It would be a nice holiday to celebrate that connects to our African American communities. I'm of the opinion we should have more holidays, especially in summer. The battle hymn of the republic shows why soldiers died, to set men free, let's celebrate their achievement.

 

[Salty]

I dont having holidays- but that doesn't mean we need to have the day off!

 

[JonC]

You had me at new national holiday. Don't listen to @Salty...he must be retired

The emancipation is important enough an event to celebrate as a national holiday. But change the name.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

It's worth commemorating when slavery ended in this country, whichever day is chosen: Emancipation Proclamation made, April 15, 1965 or Juneteenth. If it becomes a federal holiday, an existing one should be dropped. My choice for that would be Columbus Day. It's become needlessly controversial and we have most of our holidays rom then thru Presidents' day - trading an October holiday for one in June would be fine, IMO.

 

[JonC]

It's worth commemorating when slavery ended in this country, whichever day is chosen: Emancipation Proclamation made, April 15, 1965 or Juneteenth. If it becomes a federal holiday, an existing one should be dropped. My choice for that would be Columbus Day. It's become needlessly controversial and we have most of our holidays rom then thru Presidents' day - trading an October holiday for one in June would be fine, IMO.

But why drop one? (Just curious).

I do see Columbus Day going away in the future as we "correct" history. I was just wondering why get rid of one holiday for another.

 

[Salty]

too many days off for federal/state or Commonwealth employees

 

[canadyjd]

The more I consider this, the more I think it’s appropriate. Our Independence Day, July 4th, might seem hollow for Americans of African descent who didn’t get freedom until about 85 years later.

Whether it will ease race relations or not, it seems the right thing to do. It is history appropriate, imo.

I think the name Juneteenth is cumbersome, though it might already be popular among Americans of African descent. Perhaps we could have a national contest to name the new holiday.

peace to you

 

[Salty]

The more I consider this, the more I think it’s appropriate. Our Independence Day, July 4th, might seem hollow for Americans of African descent who didn’t get freedom until about 85 years later.

Well, should we make passage of the 19th amendment - as it took 144 years to guarantee females the right to vote? (18 Aug 20)

I think the name Juneteenth is cumbersome, though it might already be popular among Americans of African descent. Perhaps we could have a national contest to name the new holiday.

I explained that in post # 2

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Well, should we make passage of the 19th amendment - as it took 144 years to guarantee females the right to vote? (18 Aug 20)

Women's Suffrage Day sounds like a wonderful idea. Why not celebrate our history like they do in Europe with some of their holidays?

 

[Salty]

because they have too many - at least in Germany

Whats wrong with having a holiday - but you still go to work.

 

[alexander284]

Anyone recall the days when we had two consecutive three day weekends in the month of February each year?

Lincoln's birthday gave us a three day weekend, followed by Washington's birthday (which gave us another three day weekend).

That changed in 1986 (if memory serves), because the Federal government had to make room for the new Federal holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which falls on the third Monday in January.

(King's birthday is actually January 15.)

The reasoning was that the Federal government simply could not afford to give Federal employees another day "off," with pay.

(Ronald Reagan was our President at the time, so that makes perfect sense.)

Therefore, if we do, indeed, add another Federal holiday to the calendar, it would (again) be quite reasonable, fiscally speaking, to "drop" one of the other (existing) legal holidays.

That's just my "take" on this subject.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

too many days off for federal/state or Commonwealth employees

I agree, and I'm a state employee. Our state observes all the federal holidays plus one more, Patriots Day, a Monday holiday commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775.