Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to introduce a measure Tuesday that would make a national holiday out of a little-known observance.

The Texas Republican’s resolution would designate June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day, recognizing the June 19, 1865, reading of an order that officially freed the slaves in Texas, a state that had resisted the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.

June 19, shortened to the unique date Juneteenth, has become the symbolic anniversary of the freeing of the slaves. The Juneteenth Independence Day observance would be similar to Flag Day or Arbor Day; institutions would not be closed, but the event would have national recognition.

By Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY

Posted by Libergirl