Yes, Coca Cola has officially declared that they will be observing Juneteenth in 2021 and beyond. This company-wide holiday, also known as “Freedom Day,” honors and celebrates the day in 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln declared the end of slavery in Texas.
According to their statement, Coca Cola employees around the world will have the day off in 2021, so that everyone can commemorate the meaning of Juneteenth and “refrain from work and other commitments, giving us the opportunity to pause, reflect and plan for action within our personal and professional spaces.
” The company has also indicated that this will be an annual commitment in order to “recognize, celebrate and continue the fight for a more just and equitable future, free from racism. “.
Is Monday June 20 a federal holiday?
No, Monday June 20, 2021 is not a federal holiday. There are currently 10 annual holidays observed nationwide by all federal government employees. These holidays are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Therefore, Monday June 20, 2021 is not a federal holiday.
Why do they call it Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is named after the day, June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery in the United States.
Though President Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation” had taken effect two and a half years prior, Texas was the most remote of the slave states and news of its enforcement did not arrive until this day.
The joy of freedom quickly spread through the African American communities in Texas, inspiring blacks to gather and celebrate with festive dances, parades, and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
This spontaneous gathering of people inspired the tradition of Juneteenth, a day of education and community celebration. As the legend of Juneteenth grew throughout the 19th century, African American organizations such as the Republican Party and churches throughout the south sponsored events to commemorate the release of their enslaved ancestors.
Today Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrated in most states across America and symbolizes the contributions African Americans have made to the United States. Juneteenth is often referred to as a day of freedom and symbolizes what African Americans were striving for so many years ago – true justice.
When did Juneteenth become a holiday?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, became a holiday commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. On that day, Major General Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves in the United States had been emancipated.
The Union soldiers read the Emancipation Proclamation written by Abraham Lincoln to Texas’ slaves, which eventually spread throughout the country, making it the last state to officially receive the news.
The initial celebration was small and local, and then gradually grew into larger events with services and parades, as well as a frequent guest: dignitaries like Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, who attended a Juneteenth celebration in Houston in 1896.
As the years progressed, Juneteenth become an even bigger event, with attendees honoring the importance of African American culture and the contributions that African Americans made to history, such as artists, inventors, and politicians.
It was officially declared as a holiday in Texas in 1979, and as of 2021, it’s recognized in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
What holiday is today?
Today is October 30th, which is National Candy Corn Day! Candy corn is a classic Halloween candy that has been around since the 1880s. It is made of sugar, corn syrup, carnauba wax, and artificial colors.
This traditional sweet treat is typically found in the shape of a triangle with a yellow tip, white middle, and orange base. It is popular to eat candy corn during the Halloween season and it may be used to decorate cakes or cupcakes.
National Candy Corn Day is a great excuse to indulge in some of the sweet goodness and it is a holiday to observe with friends and family.
Does Walmart celebrate Juneteenth?
Yes, Walmart does celebrate Juneteenth. Walmart has recognized the significance of Juneteenth as a holiday that honors the end of slavery in the United States and has made efforts to commemorate it. The company has provided paid time off to its U.
S. associates to mark Juneteenth, and to recognize the contributions of Black Americans. The company has also said it will continue to celebrate Juneteenth as an annual company holiday. Additionally, Walmart has continued to take initiatives to increase awareness of Juneteenth through initiatives such as decorations in stores and on social media.
The company has also taken steps to ensure associates are well-informed about the holiday, including by providing educational resources on its website. Walmart’s efforts to honor and recognize Juneteenth demonstrate its commitment to celebrating the holiday and its significance in American history.
Are all federal employees off on Juneteenth?
No, not all federal employees are off on Juneteenth. Juneteenth is celebrated as a holiday in many parts of the country, but in order for federal employees to get the day off, their agency would need to designate it as such by executive order or other directive.
Currently, the only executive order in this regard is one signed by President Biden in March 2021, which granted federal workers a paid holiday for the celebration of Juneteenth. In addition, individual agencies can choose to observe the day at their own discretion, resulting in some federal employees being off while others are not.
It is also important to note that individual states may designate Juneteenth as an official holiday at a state level and, as such, could affect the status of federal employees within that state.
Is Juneteenth a holiday for all companies?
No, Juneteenth is not a holiday for all companies. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of companies recognizing the day and providing either the day off to their employees or providing education and celebrations around the day and its significance.
However, Juneteenth remains an unrecognized federal holiday, meaning that not all companies participate in the holiday. With that being said, some major corporations like Microsoft, Target, and Netflix have announced that they are providing their employees with paid time off to honor the day.
Nevertheless, if you plan to observe Juneteenth, be sure to check with your individual organization or company to determine their policies and whether or not the day is being formally recognized.
Does everyone get Juneteenth holiday?
No, not everyone gets the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth officially commemorates the day when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were freed. It is recognized in 45 states and the District of Columbia, and local governments may also choose to recognize it.
Therefore, not everyone in the United States receives Juneteenth as an official holiday. Some businesses may offer this day as an employee incentive or paid holiday, but this decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
Juneteenth is an important cultural day that signifies an important moment in Black American history, however, the holiday is not observed by all.
How many states recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday?
As of 2021, 17 states—Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia— recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
Additionally, another 20 states—Delaware, Washington D. C. , Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin—have declared Juneteenth an official holiday, although it is not a paid day off for all state employees in those states.
Some states recognize it only for state employees, or for employees in certain industries, and other states have no recognition of Juneteenth.