NJ to Observe Juneteenth Tomorrow

By Jim Pytell, Managing Editor On Jun 19, 2025

Today is Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the end of slavery in the US, when, on June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them.

While Juneteenth is observed as a federal holiday today, New Jersey will observe the holiday tomorrow. 

Three years ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation which declared the third Friday in June a state holiday, a year before Former President Joe Biden signed similar legislation marking June 19 a federal holiday. The state has since decided to continue to observe the third Friday of the month, instead of the federal date of June 19.

“Commemorating this date is just one component of our collective approach to end a generational cycle of pain and injustice that has gone on for far too long,” Murphy said when initially passing the legislation. “Every Juneteenth, we will celebrate the end of the physical chains which once held Black Americans down. While more work lies ahead to undo the oppression that remains, Juneteenth is an important marker that reminds us of our mission to create a society that enables our black communities to achieve the full equality which they deserve.”

All New Jersey state offices, courts and Motor Vehicle Commission offices are closed on Friday. The post office is conducting business as usual on Friday, as they observe the federal holiday today.

Juneteenth is one of 13 total state holidays that New Jersey is scheduled to observe in 2025. 

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