June 19th or "Juneteenth" commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States, beginning in 1865.

According to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, June 19, 1865 marks the date Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform the enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had officially ended. "This momentous occasion has been celebrated as Juneteenth — a combination of June and 19 — for over 150 years."

On September 16, 2020, the nine-member Associated Students (AS) Board of Directors unanimously voted to include Juneteenth as an annual paid holiday for its staff. In doing so, we became the first AS auxiliary in the entire CSU system to do so. The Associated Students (AS) is dedicated to advancing policies and practices that strengthen our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. To ensure that the history of the Black Community is recognized and shared to sustain our advancement as a unified people, the AS will observe Juneteenth as a recognized holiday.

This year, the AS will observe Juneteenth on Thursday, June 17th to honor the history of the Black Community in the U.S. and its legacy. All facilities and operations, including the Bell Memorial Union, the Wildcat Recreation Center, and all Dining Services locations will be closed in observance.

"The Associated Students (AS) is dedicated to advancing policies and practices that strengthen our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. To ensure that the history of the Black Community is recognized and shared to sustain our advancement as a unified people, the AS will observe Juneteenth as a recognized holiday."