Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Graduation celebrations 2022, Father’s Day on Sunday, and the Juneteenth holiday to be observed on Monday, June 20 adds up to a festive three-day weekend in the territory.
Through a June 13 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga declared that Juneteenth Independence Day, on Sunday, June 19, will be observed as a holiday in American Samoa on Monday, June 20.
Under local law, a holiday that falls on Sunday is observed the next day and this year, marks the second time that American Samoa has marked this federal holiday, first declared last year by U.S President Joe Biden, followed by the governor’s official declaration.
The Associated Press reports that Juneteenth commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — some 2 1/2 years after U.S President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had freed slaves in Southern states.
In his memo, Lemanu points out that Juneteenth Independence Day is a time to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
“I encourage you all to take time this weekend to remember our dark past and embrace the hope and progress that the present has brought us,” he said. “We also honor all those who have died in pursuit of a more perfect union.”
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the national Juneteenth holiday as well that was created just last year through the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, and we celebrate these shared ideals together as a country,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata.
“Juneteenth is an important reminder of the lessons of history and the cherished value of freedom. Sadly, entire generations lived their lives without the blessings of freedom. Generations of abolitionists and former enslaved people worked tirelessly to bring about freedom, and finally, hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in the Civil War. We are thankful that freedom prevailed.
‘We stand together as part of a great nation that has led the fight for the cause of freedom throughout the world in the past century. We celebrate Juneteenth with our African American countrymen and women, and celebrate that the special American promise of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ is for all of us!
With the Monday holiday, all ASG offices will be closed and government employees required to perform duties on that day will receive holiday wages in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Some businesses will also be closed on Monday, including the two local financial institutions while others in the private sector will operate normal hours.
The long-weekend, includes Father’s Day, which is this Sunday, observed throughout the U.S including American Samoa. And many churches will hold services dedicated to fathers, with some churches allocating special time during the service for fathers to perform skits, plays and songs.
Some ASG departments as well as some in the private sector will hold special luncheons today for employees who are fathers.
In observance of the Juneteenth Independence Day holiday, Samoa News will not publish on Monday and our office will be closed.
Breaking news and updates are always available on our website: www.samoanews.com or the Samoa News Facebook page: www.facebook.com/samoanewsmedia
Happy Father’s Day, a joyous Juneteenth and congratulations to the 2022 graduates.
Be safe — and Don’t Drink & Drive!
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