FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — Juneteenth will be a paid holiday for employees with Franklin County starting in 2021, according to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
A statement from the commissioners said the observance of Juneteenth will replace the recognition of Columbus Day.
The June 19 holiday celebrating when the last enslaved people were notified about the Emancipation Proclamation is also being recognized by multiple companies, including Nike, Twitter, and Square.
The full statement from the Franklin County Board of Comissioners is below:
"June 19th celebrates the abolition of slavery in America, and the recognition that African Americans are entitled to equal rights in this country they helped to build. Yet 155 years later, their ancestors and other people of color are faced with unequal opportunity in pursuit of the American Dream. On this Juneteenth, we recognize the struggle that so many have endured and are still enduring to help us realize the dream of a more perfect union, and we stand with our residents in the ongoing fight for racial equity. Beginning with June 19th, 2021, the commissioners will be making Juneteenth an official paid county holiday for employees to replace the recognition of Columbus Day."
