Around New England

Massachusetts Students and Teachers To Get Day Off For Juneteenth in 2021

September 10, 2020

There won’t be school on the Monday following June 19 in Massachusetts this school year.

Apparently, students and staff will get the day off — even if school is in session — since Juneteenth became a statewide holiday this past July. Now, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has updated its school calendars to reflect the day’s new status, as MassLive.com reports.

The day celebrates June 19, 1865, when news reached Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended and slaves were then freed.

Juneteenth falls on a Saturday in 2021, but would be recognized the following Monday, which is June 21.

The first time there was discussion of making the day a holiday in the state came in 2007 when Democrat Deval Patrick was governor. He issued a proclamation that year instead.

Juneteenth is now the 11th state holiday in Massachusetts, which effectively banned slavery in 1783, about 82 years before slaves were freed in Texas.

The other state holidays in Massachusetts are:

New Year’s Day

Washington’s Birthday

Patriots Day

Memorial Day

Fourth of July

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving

Christmas