MILWAUKEE — Juneteenth Day might be a federal holiday soon.
The Milwaukee Common Council passed a resolution Tuesday urging legislation that would make what has been a local celebration into a federal holiday.
The file was introduced by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.
“Just as we celebrate the 4th of July as a day of independence, so should we celebrate Juneteenth Day as it represents a significant moment in history for many in this country," Alderwoman Coggs said in a release from the Council. "I want to thank my colleagues for their overwhelming support of this file and recognition of the importance of Juneteenth Day.”
Juneteenth Day marks the day in 1865 where the final enslaved Africans were granted their freedom in Galveston, Texas. Wisconsin began recognizing it in 2009 and Milwaukee is home to one of the longest-running Juneteenth Day celebrations in the country.
