Bengals making Juneteenth a paid holiday

The Bengals have become the latest NFL franchise to establish June 19th — also known as Junteenth — as a paid holiday, according to Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas and proclaimed that slavery in the United States had ended, and that the Civil War was over.

This news comes after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently announced that the NFL will observe Juneteenth as a league holiday, and league offices will be closed on Friday.

“This year, as we work together as a family and in our communities to combat the racial injustices that remain deeply rooted into the fabric of our society, the NFL will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th as a recognized holiday and our league offices will be closed,” Goodell said. “It is a day to reflect on our past, but more importantly, consider how each one of us can continue to show up and band together to work toward a better future.”

For more information on Junteenth, check out its official website.