![Mayor Walt Maddox Gives City of Tuscaloosa Workers Day Off for Juneteenth](https://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2021/02/Walt-Maddox-2_SD.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Mayor Walt Maddox Gives City of Tuscaloosa Workers Day Off for Juneteenth
Mayor Walt Maddox issued a proclamation at Tuesday night's city council meeting, declaring June 19 will be officially recognized as "Juneteenth in Tuscaloosa," giving municipal employees the day off later this month.
![Tuscaloosa Thread logo](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2020/07/512-1.jpg?w=100)
In a Wednesday news release from the city, a spokesperson said Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. and originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865.
President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
Maddox made a similar move last year, but said the proclamation was re-issued this year to "underscore its importance" in 2022.
The release stated the city will observe Juneteenth as a holiday for employees on Monday, June 20. The addition was proposed by Mayor Maddox as a part of the budget process for the 2022 fiscal year and voted on by the City Council last September.
"Tonight is a special night where we recognize Juneteenth," Maddox said during the meeting. "I'm very proud that this city council used part of its budget passed in September to approve Juneteenth as an official holiday for City of Tuscaloosa employees."
Top Stories from the Tuscaloosa Thread (5/31 - 6/6)
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
![Tuscaloosa to Again Accept School Supplies to Pay Off Parking Tickets](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/07/attachment-RS42160_GettyImages-687802820-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tuscaloosa Leaders Not Happy with ALDOT Plan to Replace Bridge Over Black Warrior River](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/06/attachment-Mayfield-Bridge.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Apartment Owners Sue Tuscaloosa Mayor & Council Over Higher Fees for Student Complexes](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/04/attachment-IMG_4582.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tuscaloosa Dedicates City’s First “Baby Box” For Safely, Anonymously Surrendering Newborns](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/05/attachment-441272134_435875155743681_1936621692185952327_n.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Developers Break Ground on First of New Townhomes Coming to Tuscaloosa’s West End](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/05/attachment-Townhomes-Dirt.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kentuck Announces Plan to Bring Café, Store and More to Historic Tuscaloosa Space](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/04/attachment-Kentuck-at-QC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tuscaloosa Mayor Says City Will Meet the Moment, Build on Foundation Sabans Laid](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2023/03/attachment-attachment-img_0126.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pair of Sewer Overflows Sends 42,000 Gallons of Wastewater Into Tuscaloosa Creeks](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2024/01/attachment-SSO-Drone-Shot.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![City of Tuscaloosa To Stop Taking Plastic Film for Recycling](http://townsquare.media/site/993/files/2020/10/IMG_9468.jpg?w=980&q=75)