Juneteenth: A Federal Holiday Commemorating the End of Slavery

A Brief History

Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on June 19. It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3, which declared that all enslaved people in Texas were free. This proclamation came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which had declared all enslaved people in Confederate territory to be free as of January 1, 1863.

Observance of Juneteenth

Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980 and was recognized by Congress as a day of observance in 1997. In 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday, the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated with parades, festivals, barbecues, and community gatherings throughout the United States. It is a day to commemorate the end of slavery, reflect on the history of racial inequality in the country, and celebrate African American culture.

Significance of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the long and painful history of slavery in the United States. It is a day to celebrate the freedom and resilience of African Americans and to recommit to working towards racial equality and justice. By its recognition as a federal holiday, Juneteenth takes its place among other important days in American history, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. It is a day for all Americans to reflect on the meaning of freedom and to work towards a more just and equitable society.