BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts has recognized June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day, an annual state holiday commemorating the emancipation of Black slaves in America.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the measure, which had been included as an amendment to a coronavirus spending bill, on Friday.

He said making June 19 an official state holiday will allow residents to "recognize the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.”

Former Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the state’s first Black governor, signed a proclamation in 2007 that recognized Juneteenth on the Sunday closest to June 19.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas were told they were free, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Nearly every state recognizes the day in some way, but it is not an official national holiday.

This year, Juneteenth was marked by huge demonstrations across the country demanding an end to racial injustice and police brutality in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.