U.S. Congress votes to make Juneteenth, end of slavery, a federal holiday June 17 05:22 am JST June 17 | 03:00 pm JST WASHIMNGTON The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to create a federal holiday commemorating Juneteenth, which until now has been the unofficial fete marking the end of slavery in the United States. The measure cleared the Senate by unanimous consent Tuesday after a Republican in the chamber ended his objection. With the House passing it in a 415-14 vote, the bill now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature. Most states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or officially observe the day, but the bill passed by Congress would make Juneteenth the 12th U.S. federal holiday -- and the first new one in 38 years.