What was the first state to make Juneteenth a holiday?
ON June 15, the United States Senate passed a resolution establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. But prior to that resolution, the holiday was celebrated in several different states and gained recognition throughout the country as an important date commemorating the end of slavery in the US. Although the US Senate passed the resolution to make Juneteenth a holiday recognized throughout the country on June 15, it was already a state holiday in several places. The first state to mark the occasion as a state holiday was Texas. By 2008, almost half of states in the US observed the holiday. Texas first made Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980, and every state but South Dakota came to officially commemorate Juneteenth in the decades following, according to CNN. 3 Texas was the first state to mark it as a holiday Credit: Getty  However, only a few note it as a paid holiday. Some cities and companies also recognize the holiday. In 2020, Juneteenth was formally recognized by New York City as a yearly official city holiday and public school holiday, starting the year after. Juneteenth commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday celebrates the day slaves in Texas learned of the executive order that marked the last day of slavery in the United States. 3 Juneteenth commemorates the day slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of their emancipation in 1865 Credit: AFP  It originated in Galveston, Texas, and recognizes the day Union General Gordon Granger rode to the city and told slaves of their emancipation in 1865. "In accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free, he read to the crowd there. Some people celebrate it like the Fourth of July, with gatherings including picnics and parties with family and friends. The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, an association based in Mississippi, has worked for years to get Juneteenth made into a national holiday. Most read in News Live Blog FROM RUSSIA WITH SHOVE Chaos at Putin summit as 'US press manhandled by Russian agents' TRAGIC LOSS Porn star's George Floyd mural pic resurfaces after she was 'found dead at 27' Breaking GUN RAMPAGE One dead and 5 in 'critical condition' as Baltimore shooters flee scene 'WHAT THE HELL?' Biden snaps at CNN reporter and says Im not confident about anything JOE SWEATS Biden strips off in odd press conference & refers to Putin as President Trump Warning SENT TO HELL Gruesome moment dad executed with an AK-47 for murdering his three daughters  The Senate has passed a resolution marking the holiday, but it still needs to be voted on by the House. It is expected to pass in the House after the Senate passed the legislation Tuesday, after being previously blocked by Sen Ron Johnson of Wisconsin in 2020. In order to be recognized on a federal level, President Joe Biden will need to sign the resolution into law.