What is Juneteenth

During this time of year, you may see people planning a celebration in honor of a holiday known as Juneteenth. From cookouts and parades to rallies and park parties, this holiday is a very big deal in African American communities and should be for you as well. 

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Jubilee Day, is a holiday celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This historic day marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the news that all slaves were now free, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

The story of Juneteenth begins with the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the issue of slavery became a central focus, with the Confederacy defending the practice and the Union seeking to abolish it. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were now free.

However, despite the proclamation, slavery persisted in many areas, particularly in Texas, where the Confederate army continued to enforce the practice. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when General Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston and declared that all slaves were free, that the end of slavery in the United States was finally achieved. This news was met with both joy and disbelief, and soon celebrations began, with people coming together to sing, dance, and give thanks for their newfound freedom.

Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated annually as a way to remember and honor the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday has taken on a variety of forms, from religious services to cookouts and community gatherings, and has become an important cultural tradition for African Americans.

In recent years, the celebration of Juneteenth has gained wider recognition, with several states and cities officially recognizing the holiday and celebrating it with events and activities. The holiday has also gained a renewed significance in light of ongoing discussions about racial justice and the need to address systemic racism in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the long and difficult struggle for equality, and as a celebration of the resilience and strength of a community that has overcome so much. On this day, we celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the fabric of our nation and honor their legacy of perseverance and hope.