For the first time, the Indiana University community will honor Juneteenth as a university holiday.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of enslavement in the United States. While Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19, IU will observe the holiday on Monday, June 20. IU offices will be closed, and it is a paid university holiday for faculty and staff.

When IU President Pamela Whitten announced the holiday would be added to the university’s schedule, she said, “Taking time to reflect and engage in the long-standing traditions of Juneteenth is an opportunity to acknowledge our past, fully engage in our present, and look forward with hope and optimism together. It also serves as a reminder of our university’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as our ongoing efforts to make our campuses welcoming, supportive and safe spaces for everyone.”

Additional details can be found in the university’s holiday policy.

In addition, IU Libraries has published a guide to help people explore the origins of Juneteenth. IU folklorist William “Bill” Wiggins was a pioneer researcher on the origins of Juneteenth, which was a vibrant localized folk holiday celebrated in diverse fashion around the United States before it was recognized as a federal holiday.