06/19/2026
Reminder: Meridian Health Services will pause new admissions on Thursday, June 19, as our offices are closed in observance of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is a time to reflect, honor progress, and recognize the resilience and strength within our communities, as we honor the past and inspire the future.
Our team remains committed to providing compassionate, uninterrupted care for current clients, with supportive programming and activities available throughout the day.
If you or a loved one is considering our services, new admissions will resume the next business day. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions in the meantime.
✨ We’re here when you’re ready to take the next step.
👉For those who may not be familiar with its history:
Juneteenth is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States following the Civil War. It has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s. In 1980, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia now acknowledge it in some form. In 2021, President Biden signed legislation designating June 19 as a federal holiday.
How did Juneteenth begin?
On June 19, 1865—about two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia—Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved African Americans were free and that the Civil War had ended:
“June 19, 1865, General Order No. 3: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free …”
This announcement enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued nearly two and a half years earlier on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.
Juneteenth is also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day,” or “Emancipation Day.” However you choose to observe it, we hope you have a meaningful and enjoyable holiday while honoring its significance.
