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Denver to recognize Juneteenth as an official commemorative holiday

Hundreds gather for Denver Juneteenth parade
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DENVER (AP) — The Denver City Council has declared Juneteenth an official commemorative holiday in the city, elevating the commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. from the status of a ceremonial holiday.

The Denver Post reported the council passed a bill to set an annual official observance of Juneteenth on the Saturday closest to June 19.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and the delivery of a message on June 19, 1865, telling slaves in Texas they were free.

The holiday has expanded from Texas to the majority of U.S. states and Washington, D.C.