Yes, Microsoft recognizes Juneteenth. On June 17th, 2020, Microsoft announced they would observe the celebration of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for employees in the United States. This observance is part of an ongoing commitment to furthering racial justice in communities around the world.
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 that Union Major General Gordon Granger read the federal order to slaves in Galveston, TX, sharing news of their emancipation. Microsoft’s emphasis on taking action and creating lasting change to end systemic racism extends beyond their paid holiday.
They have vowed to invest $100 million over the next five years to address economic inequality, educational disparities and racial injustice. They also strive to hire more people from underrepresented backgrounds, partner with organizations with strong commitments to diversity and inclusion, and provide education and resources for their employees about race and racism.
Microsoft recognizes that celebrating Juneteenth is only one part of their ongoing commitment to equity and diversity.
Which companies recognize Juneteenth as a holiday?
Juneteenth is an increasingly popular holiday among employers across the United States, with many companies now offering the day off to their employees as a paid holiday. Some of the major organizations which currently recognize Juneteenth as a holiday include Bank of America, Walmart, Google, J.P. Morgan, Nike, Starbucks, Target, Microsoft, Uber, Lyft, Salesforce, Twitter, and Apple.
These companies recognize the importance of the holiday and its historical resonance as a day when Texan slaves learned of their freedom, although it took two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation for that to happen.
In addition to these major corporations, several smaller companies and organizations also recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, including the American Library Association, BuzzFeed News, Whole Foods, Southwest Airlines, and the US Postal Service.
Other prominent members of Juneteenth celebrants include the US Army and US Coast Guard, which made the holiday official for their respective services in 2020. Employers on the state level are also joining the celebration, with both Texas and Virginia making Juneteenth a graduation for state employees, and Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Florida all introducing legislation to recognize the holiday in some form.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Juneteenth is an important holiday that can no longer be overlooked, and companies of all sizes are recognizing the significance of this day by offering their employees the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the day.
The hope is that, in years to come, Juneteenth will be widely-recognized and celebrated as the day it should be nationwide.
Why am I not off for Juneteenth?
Unfortunately, I am not off for Juneteenth this year. Juneteenth is an important day of remembrance and celebration for African American culture, marking the abolition of slavery in 1865. While this holiday is gaining increasing recognition and observance in the U.S., it is still not recognized as a federal holiday, meaning many organizations and businesses—including my own—do not offer the day off for regular staff.
I understand that this can be incredibly disappointing and frustrating, as it is an incredibly important holiday that should be given more recognition and respect than it currently receives. Although I can’t take the day off, I am sure to commemorate Juneteenth by showing my support to the African American community and reflecting on the significance of this holiday.
Is Monday June 20th a holiday?
No, Monday June 20th is not a holiday. Monday June 20th is a regular work day in most parts of the United States. In some cases, it may be a federal or state holiday in your area; however, there is no nationally recognized holiday on this day.
Why is Google celebrating Juneteenth and not Father’s day?
Google is celebrating Juneteenth this year to commemorate and recognize the historical importance of the event. Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1865, and it marks the day when enslaved African-Americans in Texas learned that they were free, two and a half years after President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
It has traditionally been celebrated by African-Americans as a day to commemorate the end of slavery in 18 (Juneteenth) June 1865. This year, the importance of this event has come to the forefront of the public’s collective consciousness, with Juneteenth being declared a holiday in many parts of the U.S.
At Google, we value diversity, inclusion and justice; we aim to create a workplace that celebrates the multiple identities and cultures of our global employees. We are proud to be honoring this holiday for the first time this year.
As per our ongoing commitment to encourage more employees to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, this year we are giving our employees the day off to commemorate Juneteenth instead of Father’s Day. We hope this provides more people with an opportunity to take the time to connect with their families, reflect on the journey and learn more about the history of the Juneteenth celebration.
Is Juneteenth recognized at Amazon?
Yes, Amazon recognizes Juneteenth and has made it a paid company holiday in the US and an observation day elsewhere in the world. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US, and Amazon believes it is an important holiday to recognize and celebrate.
Amazon leadership announced this recognition in 2020, and employees will receive a paid day off each year on Juneteenth. Amazon also makes donations to organizations dedicated to honoring and celebrating Juneteenth and to those promoting equity and racial justice for the African American community.
Amazon has also committed to ensuring a diversity of voices at the company, and has recently launched a $2 million Juneteenth Employee Education fund and opened up employee grants for businesses to expand opportunities in underserved communities and to support Black-owned businesses.
Additionally, Amazon has launched a new dedicated virtual hub on Amazon.com that celebrates Black excellence, featuring African American-owned entrepreneurs, authors, and content creators, and to also commission and produce a number of scripted and unscripted original series and specials highlighting African American culture, history, and stories of struggle, esteem, and success.
Is Juneteenth a holiday you get off?
No, Juneteenth is not a nationally-recognized holiday—at least, not yet. In the United States, it is not a holiday you get off of work, school, or other obligations.
Juneteenth, which is also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in the US state of Texas, and more generally, the end of slavery in the United States.
The day has been celebrated since the late 1800s, but unfortunately, it has only recently received national attention and recognition. Notably, it is an official state holiday in 47 US states and the District of Columbia, and it is recognized as a legal holiday or state holiday in many other states.
For many people celebrating Juneteenth involves reflection and conversation around the history of race in American, after celebrating with gatherings, prayer, and festivals that include food, art, and music.
These gatherings present an opportunity to educate future generations about the legacy of slavery, discuss current racism and racial injustices, and learn how to move forward as a unified nation.
Many people in the United States today are hoping for legislation making Juneteenth a nationally-recognized holiday. President Biden recently called for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday, and he has been joined in this effort by other influential politicians.
Until that happens, though, Juneteenth remains a special day of celebration and reflection, but not one that most people in the United States get off of their usual obligations.
How do I remove Juneteenth from Google Calendar?
Removing Juneteenth from your Google Calendar is relatively simple and can be done in a few simple steps.
First, open Google Calendar in your desktop browser. Once the page has loaded, click on the “Settings” icon in the top right corner and select “Settings” from the drop down menu.
On the settings page, you should then click on the “Events” tab. Once on the “Events” page, you will see a list of events. Look for the event titled “Juneteenth” and click on the “Edit” button next to it.
On the edit page, you will see an option to turn the event off. Click on the toggle switch to turn the event off and then click on “Save.” You have now successfully removed Juneteenth from your Google Calendar and it will no longer appear on your calendar.
