The Cleveland Browns announced they are joining the growing trend among NFL teams in recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday. On Wednesday, the Browns declared they will have all offices closed on Friday, June 19th in observance of the occasion.
Juneteenth represents the emancipation date, June 19th, 1865, for slaves in Galveston, Texas. Also known as Freedom Day, it represents the end of slavery in the furthest reaches of the South following the Civil War.
The Browns are the 10th NFL team to recognize the holiday. Several other prominent companies, including Nike, Lyft and Quicken Loans, are also making Juneteenth an official holiday beginning in 2020.
