What's Closed In Santa Monica On Juneteenth 2022

SANTA MONICA, CA — Though its been celebrated for decades, Juneteenth will ring in its second year as a federal holiday. In Santa Monica, events will be held over the long weekend, some will get the day off and many buildings will close on Monday.

The first Juneteenth celebration was June 19 of 1866, to mark the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were freed. Although, two years earlier, enslaved people were declared free through the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday has also been called Freedom Day or Emancipation day.

Last year, Congress and President Joe Biden moved swiftly to make Juneteenth a national holiday. It was the first time the federal government had designated a new national holiday since approving Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. This year, nearly 20 states are expected to close state offices and give most of their public employees time off.

AB-1655, introduced in the Golden State, passed the Assembly and moved to the Senate this month, and individual cities such as Santa Monica have already signed proclamations making Juneteenth official.

The day is typically recognized on June 19, but since it falls on a Sunday this year, it will be marked on Monday to give swaths of workers a paid day off.

Here's what will be closed or canceled in Santa Monica on Monday:

• City facilities
• City programs
• Street Sweeping
• The Swim Center
• Memorial Park Gym and Fitness Room
• Skate Park
• Reed Park Tennis Office
• Beach House
• Most Banks
• U.S. Postal Service
• Federal Buildings and Banks
• Los Angeles County Libraries

The first Juneteenth was celebrated in Santa Monica in 1992 when community activist LaVerne Ross first brought the holiday to city leaders. It was a holiday that her family commemorated in Texas.

It's known as the nation's second Independence Day and the oldest celebration marking the end of slavery in the country. Santa Monica will recognize the 30th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park.

"Over the years, thanks to LaVerne's dedication and leadership, the event has grown into an important annual tribute that brings together Santa Monica's Black community," city officials wrote in this year's release.

READ MORE: Santa Monica To Mark 30th Juneteenth Celebration With Music, Panels

Editors Note: This article was edited on June 19 to reflect that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will be open Monday and summer programs will begin as scheduled on Monday. The district instead celebrated Juneteenth on June 17.