NEW YORK, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A legislation was signed into law on Wednesday by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to designate Juneteenth as an official public holiday in New York State.
"I am incredibly proud to sign into law this legislation declaring Juneteenth an official holiday in New York State, a day which commemorates the end to slavery in the United States," said Cuomo.
"This new public holiday will serve as a day to recognize the achievements of the Black community, while also providing an important opportunity for self-reflection on the systemic injustices that our society still faces today," he added.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the news of liberation came to Texas more than two years after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on Jan. 1, 1863. Enditem
