HARRISBURG — Focused on promoting the advancement of unity, equality and justice for all Pennsylvanians, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has issued an Order closing all non-essential court functions and proceedings on June 18th, in recognition of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

Established by Act 9 of 2019, which passed unanimously in the General Assembly, Juneteenth National Freedom Day marks the date in 1865 when news of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln reached Galveston, Texas. The annual observance of this historic date provides the opportunity to recognize the historical and cultural significance of news of the signing and dissemination of the Emancipation Proclamation finally arriving in the furthest point in the South. The Court’s Order designates June 18, 2021 “as a state-level special holiday for employees of the Unified Judicial System” and closes all courts, other than for essential functions or other proceedings as may be deemed necessary by county president judges.