WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?
Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980, and other states then followed suit. In 2021 Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Also celebrated outside the United States, Juneteenth is recognized in several countries to celebrate the end of slavery and to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans.
Juneteenth is the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, observed annually on June 19.
The official name of federal holiday is “Juneteenth National Independence Day,” but it is also referred to as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.
Learn more about the history behind Juneteenth through the following links:
“The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.” Learn more on the history of Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and The Smithsonian.
“Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.” Read more from History.com.
What is Juneteenth? The history behind the holiday celebrating the end of slavery.
“Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. But in recent years, and particularly following nationwide protests over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other Black Americans, there is a renewed interest in the day that celebrates freedom.” Read more from The New York Times.
“The first Juneteenth in 1866 was celebrated with food, singing, and the reading of spirituals — and it commemorated newly freed Black people taking pride in their progress. Today, Juneteenth celebrations span the world, with the global diaspora adopting the day as one to recognize emancipation at large.” Read more from Vox.