One of America's newest federal holidays takes place Thursday, and government offices and some businesses will close their doors for a day. Juneteenth, on June 19, is a holiday that commemorates the freedom of enslaved African Americans in Texas.

Juneteenth always falls on June 19. In 2025, the holiday is on a Thursday. Are banks open on Juneteenth? Like most federal holidays, expect your local banks and credit unions to be closed in observance of Juneteenth.

The Galveston Police Department requested additional personnel from the sheriff's office to assist with dignitaries planning to be in Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth. Among those dignitaries is Biden,

The church, located at 2013 Broadway, was built in 1863, although slaves began worshipping on the property in 1848. In June of 1865, it became one of the first locations on the island visited by messengers reading aloud U.S. Army Gen. Gordon Granger's General Order No. 3, which ended slavery in Texas.

Multiple Houston media outlets are reporting former President Joe Biden may be visiting Galveston Thursday to participate Juneteenth celebrations on the island.