Juneteenth declared a state holiday in New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo declared Juneteenth a state holiday in New York State. He issued the executive order on Wednesday, making it a holiday for all state employees.

In a press release, Cuomo stated: "Friday is Juneteenth — a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States — and it's a day that is especially relevant in this moment in history," adding that "Although slavery ended over 150 years ago, there has still been rampant, systemic discrimination and injustice in this state and this nation, and we have been working to enact real reforms to address these inequalities."