LAKELAND, Fla. — The City of Lakeland is recognizing Juneteenth as on official, paid holiday for the first time.

Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday by President Biden in 2021, honors the anniversary of when hundreds of thousands of enslaved Americans in Galevenson, Texas were told they were free.

Florida does not recognize Juneteenth as a holiday for state workers.

The move in Lakeland came after a number of residents spoke at back-to-back city commission meetings in February asking that Juneteenth be recognized city-wide.

“Lakeland, you’re the biggest city,” Polk County resident Wanda Gaines said to Lakeland City Commissioners during a February meeting. “If you honor Juneteenth with a paid holiday then other cities in the county will likely follow.”

Gaines was joined by dozens of others who shared their feelings with commissioners. After some debate, the commission voted unanimously on April 1 to move forward with recognizing Juneteenth as a city holiday.

Terry Coney, president of the Lakeland NAACP, says it’s a step in the right direction.

“So by them finally recognizing Juneteenth as a city holiday for me they’re reaching out and embracing that segment and bringing them in and saying you’re all a part,” he said.

Juneteenth is already recognized as a city holiday in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, and Orlando. Hillsborough County also has Juneteenth listed as a county-wide holiday for its workers.

Officials Juneteenth celebrations have been held in Lakeland since the early 1990s. This year’s celebration will take place on June 29 at the Simpson Park Community Center in Lakeland. The free community event will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.