We are getting another American holiday, and it’s a great one. I first heard of Juneteenth when I moved to Washington, D.C., in the late 1990s, where there had been official local celebrations of the holiday for a few years.

Over the years, states and localities have steadily recognized Juneteenth. This year, following the death of George Floyd and the nationwide rallies against racism and police brutality, it’s become an unofficial national holiday. Soon that will be official, and maybe soon it will be a paid day off work.