What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an important holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th and is recognized as a state holiday or observance in most states.

The history of Juneteenth dates back to June 19th, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved individuals in Texas were now free. This announcement came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was signed, which declared that all slaves in Confederate states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

The delay in the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas was due to a number of factors, including the slow pace of communication in the 19th century and the resistance of slave owners who were reluctant to give up their property. Additionally, the Union Army had limited presence in Texas during the Civil War, which made it difficult to enforce the proclamation.

However, General Granger’s announcement in 1865 marked a turning point for the thousands of enslaved individuals in Texas who were finally able to embrace their freedom. Many of them left their former plantations immediately and headed north in search of family members who had been sold or separated from them during slavery.

Juneteenth celebrations initially started in Texas as a way to commemorate the day of emancipation, and over time it spread throughout the country. The first official Juneteenth celebration was held in 1866 in Texas, and by the early 1900s, it had become a widely recognized holiday in African American communities throughout the United States.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Juneteenth took on even greater significance as African Americans fought for equal rights and an end to discrimination. Today, Juneteenth continues to be celebrated as a symbol of freedom and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

The celebrations of Juneteenth vary from community to community, but many events feature music, food, and historical reenactments. Some celebrations include parades and festivals, while others focus on educational events that teach about the history of slavery and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on Juneteenth, particularly in light of the racial justice protests that took place across the United States in 2020. In June of that year, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, many states and cities declared Juneteenth a paid holiday for government workers and made efforts to make it a more widely recognized holiday.

In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which made Juneteenth a federal holiday. This was a historic moment for the United States, as Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.

The establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is a significant step forward in recognizing and honoring the contributions and struggles of African Americans in the United States. It also serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to achieve true equality and justice for all.

In conclusion, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the ongoing struggle for racial justice. It has a rich history that dates back to the end of the Civil War and has become an important symbol of freedom for African Americans and all Americans. The establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is a significant step forward in recognizing the contributions and struggles of African Americans and serves as a reminder that the fight for racial justice is ongoing.

References:

“Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.” Congress.gov, Library of Congress, www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/475/text.

“Juneteenth.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution, nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.

“Juneteenth.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University, kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/juneteenth.

“Juneteenth.” History, A&E Television Networks, 6 May 2021, www.history.com/topics/holidays/juneteenth.

“What Is Juneteenth?” USA TODAY, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 17 June 2020, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/17/juneteenth-celebrates-end-slavery-what-is-history-holiday/5323895002/.

“Juneteenth: Our Other Independence Day.” National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 19 June 2020, www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/juneteenth-our-other-independence-day.

“What Is Juneteenth, and How Do People Celebrate It?” The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 16 June 2021, www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-celebration.html.

“Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom.” The White House, The United States Government, 16 June 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/16/juneteenth-a-celebration-of-freedom/.

“Juneteenth Is Now a Federal Holiday. What Comes Next?” NPR, National Public Radio, 18 June 2021, www.npr.org/2021/06/18/1008141283/juneteenth-is-now-a-federal-holiday-what-comes-next.