Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill making Juneteenth a permanent state holiday, closing state offices annually on June 19 to commemorate emancipation.

Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday signed HB165 into law, declaring Juneteenth a state holiday. “Since President Trump observed Juneteenth in June of 2020, we have proclaimed it each year, and I am pleased the Legislature has made it an official state holiday ," Ivey said in a release.

The Alabama Senate Wednesday gave final approval to a bill making Juneteenth a state holiday in Alabama. HB 165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, closes state government offices on June 19 for the holiday,