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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump delivers stark warning to workers on Juneteenth
Working-class Americans received a stark warning from President Trump as he celebrated Juneteenth by complaining about the excessive amount of federal holidays. Trump issued a directive Thursday night that declared the country is wasting too much money on closing business and said he has considered axing future celebrations. Before this year's holiday post - which failed to mention Juneteenth - Trump spent years commemorating the day which celebrates the freedom of enslaved African Americans. He even once claimed to have made Juneteenth 'very famous.' Trump honored the holiday in each of his first four years as president, even before it became a federal holiday in 2021. But this year, Trump kept silent about the holiday other than his late Truth Social post, despite the significance of the day for black Americans. Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: 'I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. 'I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We're working 24/7 right now.' Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. In 2020, Trump sought to woo black voters with a series of campaign promises, including vowing to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. After he lost the election, Biden went on to sign the legislation declaring Juneteenth the newest federal holiday. In the past week, Trump has in some way acknowledged Father's Day, Flag Day, National Flag Week and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. None of these days are among of the 11 national holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In 2017, Trump celebrated the 'soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing' when in 1865 a major general delivered the news to a Galveston crowd that all enslaved people were free. He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. 'Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,' he said in his 2018 statement. A year later, he said: 'Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life.' His 2020 statement read: 'June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. 'It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation's unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.' In 2020, however, Trump chose the controversial location of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the place to hold a rally following the Covid pandemic. That decision for that venue met with fierce criticism. In Tulsa in 1921, a white mob looted and burned that city's Greenwood district, an economically thriving area referred to as Black Wall Street. As many as 300 Black Tulsans were killed, and thousands were temporarily held in internment camps overseen by the National Guard. Black leaders argued it was offensive for Trump to choose June 19 and Tulsa for a campaign event. Days before the rally, Trump tried to put a positive spin on the situation by claiming that he had made Juneteenth 'famous.' He said he changed the rally date out of respect for two African American friends and supporters. 'I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,' Trump said. 'It's actually an important event, it's an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it.' Generations of Black Americans celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday in 2021.
San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Juneteenth 2025: What's open and closed in California
As California and the Bay Area prepare to observe Juneteenth on Thursday, residents can expect closures across many government services while most commercial businesses remain open. The day, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has grown in national prominence over the past several years. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, proclaiming that all enslaved African Americans in the state were free. Though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect more than two years earlier, it could not be enforced in Confederate-held areas until Union troops arrived. While many Americans now have the day off, the landscape of what remains open and closed is a patchwork — especially across California. Are banks open on Juneteenth 2025? Major U.S. banks — including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank and PNC — will shutter their branches on Thursday in accordance with the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar. Capital One Cafés, however, plan to remain open. Online banking services and ATMs will still be operational. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be suspended for the day. Will mail and shipping services operate on Juneteenth? UPS and FedEx will operate on normal schedules. Both companies confirmed they will offer regular pickup and delivery services, and their respective store locations will be open. Customers are advised to check with local branches for specific hours. Which government offices are closed for Juneteenth? All federal offices, including immigration services, Social Security offices and the Internal Revenue Service, will be closed. In California, most state offices — such as the Department of Motor Vehicles — will remain open. While Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday, it is not a paid day off for state employees, though they may choose to use a personal day to observe it. Many city and county offices in the Bay Area will close for the day, including most courthouses and public libraries. Residents planning to attend to any local governmental business are urged to check in advance. Trash and recycling pickup services will operate on a normal schedule in most Bay Area cities. Residents should place their bins out as usual unless notified otherwise by their local waste management provider. Is public transit running on Juneteenth in the Bay Area? Transit services will continue without interruption. BART and Caltrain both confirmed that they will operate on normal weekday schedules. Are stores and grocery chains open on Juneteenth? Most retail outlets and grocery chains will be open during regular business hours. Target, Costco, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Safeway will all remain open. CVS will be operating, although some pharmacies may reduce their hours. Walgreens will keep stores open, but most pharmacies will be closed, except for 24-hour locations. Major retail chains such as Macy's, Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's also plan to operate as usual. Local businesses and restaurants are likely to remain open, though hours may vary. Customers are advised to call ahead or check websites. Will schools be closed on Juneteenth? Most public schools are closed for summer break. Where schools remain in session, public institutions will generally observe the federal holiday. Policies may vary for private schools and universities. Are national parks open on Juneteenth 2025? In honor of Juneteenth, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees to all national parks. Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to over 400 national park sites across the country, including Bay Area favorites like Muir Woods and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Juneteenth, long commemorated by Black communities, was made a federal holiday in 2021 amid a renewed focus on racial justice. It has been described as America's second Independence Day. Despite growing recognition, not all states provide a paid day off for government workers. According to a 2023 Pew Research report, 28 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump is silent about Juneteenth on a day he previously honored as president
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, even before it became a federal holiday. He even claimed once to have made it 'very famous.' But on this year's Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about a day important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again. No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site. Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: 'I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We're working 24/7 right now.' Asked in a follow-up question whether Trump might recognize the occasion another way or on another day, Leavitt said, 'I just answered that question for you.' The Republican president's silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. Trump's quiet on the issue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to sign a Juneteenth proclamation. Leavitt didn't explain the change. Trump held no public events Thursday, but he shared statements about Iran, the TikTok app and Fed chairman Jerome Powell on his social media site. He had more to say about Juneteenth in yearly statements in his first term. In 2017, Trump invoked the 'soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing' that swept through the Galveston crowd when a major general delivered the news that all enslaved people were free. He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. 'Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,' he added in his 2018 statement. In 2019: 'Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life.' In 2020: 'June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation's unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.' In 2020, after suspending his campaign rallies because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump chose Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the place to resume his public gatherings and scheduled a rally for June 19. But the decision met with such fierce criticism that Trump postponed the event by a day. Black leaders had said it was offensive for Trump to choose June 19 and Tulsa for a campaign event, given the significance of Juneteenth and Tulsa being the place where, in 1921, a white mob looted and burned that city's Greenwood district, an economically thriving area referred to as Black Wall Street. As many as 300 Black Tulsans were killed, and thousands were temporarily held in internment camps overseen by the National Guard. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal days before the rally, Trump tried to put a positive spin on the situation by claiming that he had made Juneteenth 'famous.' He said he changed the rally date out of respect for two African American friends and supporters. 'I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,' Trump said. 'It's actually an important event, it's an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it.' Generations of Black Americans celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday in 2021 with the stroke of President Joe Biden's pen. Later in 2020, Trump sought to woo Black voters with a series of campaign promises, including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. He lost the election, and that made it possible for Biden, a Democrat, to sign the legislation establishing Juneteenth as the newest federal holiday. Shortly after being sworn in for his second term in January, Trump signed an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government, calling them 'illegal and immoral discrimination programs.' Biden issued annual Juneteenth proclamations during his four years in office, and observed some of the holidays with large concerts on the South Lawn. Biden's final observance in 2024 featured performances by Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle. Vice President Kamala Harris danced onstage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Biden was spending this year's holiday in Galveston, Texas, where he was set to speak at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church. —- Associated Press writer Calvin Woodward contributed to this report.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- General
- USA Today
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday Show Caption Hide Caption New Yorkers honor lost African American holiday older than Juneteenth An African American holiday older than Juneteenth was almost lost. These New Yorkers are bringing back Pinkster, which was outlawed in the 1800s. Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation. It's known as America's Second Independence Day, and it's celebrated today, June 19. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It's the longest-running African American holiday, and it became a federal holiday a few years ago. Juneteenth celebrations across the High Desert will include food, music, dancing, art and other activities. Here's what to know about the holiday. Is Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2025? Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in 2025, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day Memorial Day July 4 Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day When is Juneteenth observed in 2025? Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Unlike other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving, which are observed on a specific day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on the actual day. What does Juneteenth celebrate? Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the History Channel. Juneteenth — short for June nineteenth — marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Why is it called Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June 19, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston. It became known as "Juneteenth" by the newly freed slaves of Texas, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture at the Smithsonian. When did Abraham Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation? President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But its effect was limited, according to the National Archives. It only applied to states that seceded during the Civil War, leaving slavery intact for slave states that stayed with the Union. It also could not be enforced until Confederate states were under Union control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Therefore, it took until June 19, 1865, for slaves in Texas to be freed. Slavery in America was formally abolished with the 13th Amendment, which was ratified Dec. 6, 1865. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden signed legislation on June 17, 2021, according to USA TODAY, after Congress passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that same month. Juneteenth began rising to prominence in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, USA TODAY reports. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., first introduced the Juneteenth bill in 2020 following the killings of Floyd and Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky. His initial attempt to pass the bill was unsuccessful. Is there mail delivery on Juneteenth? Is the post office open? Does FedEx deliver? No. As a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service is closed that day, and there will be no mail delivered. FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open, USA TODAY reports. Are banks open on Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, meaning the organization that regulates the nation's banking system is closed, according to Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they often do. Transactions made during these holidays won't be posted until the next business day. Branches of Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, CitiBank and JPMorgan Chase will be closed on Juneteenth, USA TODAY is reporting. Capital One Cafes will remain open. Is the stock market open or closed on Juneteenth? The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website. Is trash pickup delayed for Juneteenth? Trash pickup may be delayed because of Juneteenth, depending on the hauler. Contact your municipality or private provider to learn more.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- General
- USA Today
'This is American history:' See photos around the US as the nation celebrates Juneteenth
'This is American history:' See photos around the US as the nation celebrates Juneteenth It's the day the promise of freedom finally rang true for more Americans: Juneteenth was celebrated with joy and resolve throughout the United States in 2025. Show Caption Hide Caption Black coastal town celebrate history while fighting to preserve it Officials in Eagle Harbor, a Black coastal town in Maryland, reflects on its rich history and legacy ahead of Juneteenth. Across the United States on Thursday, June 19, Americans celebrated the federal holiday commemorating the day the last group of enslaved African Americans were informed they were free. The day, dubbed Juneteenth, reflects on a moment when the promise of freedom first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence became a reality for more of its citizens. In 2021, then-President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. It officially named the holiday that has been long celebrated by Black people and beyond with dancing, parades, ceremonies and historical reenactments. The holiday marks the date in 1865 – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation – that Major General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Union Army troops came to Galveston Bay, Texas, to proclaim freedom for more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state. This year's celebrations took place across the country, with the lessons of history as important as ever. 'This is American history': From Galveston to Concord, 5 communities keep Juneteenth stories alive Juneteenth in Illinois The city of Peoria, in Central Illinois, celebrated the day with a parade, poetry and a picnic. An area festival also featured food, musical performances, a bake-off and more. More than 1,000 miles north east, in Worchester, Massachusetts, the YWCA hosted Juneteenth celebrations with a flag raising ceremony and a vow to keep tradition and the history alive, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. "We are not here to celebrate," said Sha-Asia Medina, a volunteer with the area's Black Heritage Committee. "This is something to acknowledge and honor our ancestors, but the attack on our history and culture continues. This Juneteenth is important, especially given the time that we're in." Here are other photos of Americans celebrating the relatively new holiday across the United States in cities including Atlanta, New York and Savannah.
