The above video is from a 2019 story.
Midway, KY — As calls to make Juneteenth a federal holiday continue, one small Kentucky city has established it as an official holiday.
Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift signed an executive order declaring all city offices will be closed and all city employees will have a paid holiday ever June 19 in observance of the holiday.
"I’m very proud to sign today an executive order establishing Juneteenth as an official holiday in the City of Midway," Vandegrift tweeted.
Juneteenth has been an unofficial holiday for more than 150 years, marking the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Kentucky has recognized "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" since 2005, but it is not celebrated statewide. Neither of the state's two largest cities, Louisville and Lexington, have made it an official holiday.
While the coronavirus has stopped any in-person celebrations, Waterfront Park has partnered with Jecorey 1200 Arthur and Actors Theatre of Louisville to create a virtual Juneteenth Jubilee series.
The series will release episodes each Friday beginning on June 19, featuring artistic performances, as well as educational content that captures the celebratory nature of the historical Juneteenth holiday.
Retailers like Target, JC Penney and Nike all said they will recognize Juneteenth as a company holiday for its employees starting this year.
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