On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced his intention to sign a bill establishing Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, as a federal holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States.

The bill, which passed through the Senate and House of Representatives earlier this week, began gaining momentum last year following the murder of George Floyd.

June 19th, commonly referred to as Juneteenth, has been a day of celebration in the Black community for generations. It commemorates the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the abolition of slavery in. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued nearly two and a half years prior, Texas remained under Confederate control until two months after the Civil War ended. The holiday has been celebrated by members of the Black community every year since.

“Today we consecrate Juneteenth for what it ought to be, what it must be—a national holiday,” Biden said in a press conference prior to signing the bill

Despite the bill’s popularity, 14 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted against it, including: Rep. Andrew Clyde; Rep. Ronny Jackson; Rep. Doug LaMalfa; Rep. Tom McClintock; Rep. Ralph Norman; Rep. Mike Rogers; Rep. Matt Rosendale; Rep. Andy Biggs; Rep. Mo Brooks; Rep. Scott DesJarlais; Rep. Tom Tiffany; Rep. Thomas Massie; Rep. Paul Gosar; and Rep. Chip Roy.

The bill was blocked in 2020 by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin); however, he withdrew his objection this time, allowing the bill to pass.

Establishing Juneteenth as a holiday does not provide any sort of reparations to the Black community. Congress and the Biden Administration have yet to take action to provide substantial police reform or improvements to the education system that would benefit the Black community.

The signing of this bill comes at a contentious time as many states and localities across the country are attempting to ban critical race theory from being taught in public schools. Biden’s Department of Education has remained relatively quiet on the issue, not intervening in any situations.

Juneteenth will now be formally observed yearly on June 19th, and federal employees will be given the day off. Since it falls on a Saturday this year, federal employees will be given Friday off instead.