Juneteenth National Independence Day in United States

What is Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrates the lengthiest African American celebration celebrating the abolition of slavery in the US. It commemorates the day the federal forces entered Galveston, Texas, to seize the region's sovereignty and guarantee the freedom of all enslaved people.

Juneteenth - All Quick Overview

• Time/Date: June 19
• Category: Cause
• Where it’s Marked: United States of America
• Why it’s Marked: It is commemorated that African Americans were freed from enslavement in the United States in 1865.

History of Juneteenth

The enduring role of Juneteenth demonstrates the importance of holding onto optimism even in the face of uncertainty.

The first Watch Night services were held on "Freedom's Eve," which is to say, the night before January 1, 1863. African Americans who were both captive and liberated congregated in churches and private residences around the nation that evening in anticipation of the Emancipation Proclamation's implementation. Reading miniature copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, Collective bargaining soldiers, several of whom were black, proceeded into estates and through southern cities, disseminating the message of freedom in the Confederate States. All enslaved people in the Confederate States were decreed to be accessible at the stroke of midnight. Emancipation only ended the ballot in the United States with the Thirteenth Amendment.

However, not everyone would be instantaneously emancipated in Confederate territory. The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted in 1863, but it could not be carried out in areas still governed by the Confederacy. Consequently, enslaved individuals would not become accessible until later in Texas. On June 19, 1865, when about 2,000 Union forces disembarked in Galveston Bay, Texas, freedom was finally achieved. The invasion force declared that the legislature's upwards of 250,000 enslaved Black people had been set free by executive order. The newly independent residents of Texas continued to call this day "Juneteenth."

Reconstruction, the post-emancipation era, was a time of enormous promise, uncertainty, and hardship for the country. People who had been enslaved right away wanted to reunite families, start academies, seek parliament, advance unconventional laws, and perhaps even challenge slaveholders for damages. Such advances were nowhere less than astounding, especially considering the 200+ years of slavery. African Americans were encouraged and given the power to change their circumstances and society before they had even been free for a decade.

How to Celebrate Juneteenth

Several ways to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday include lectures, barbecues, performances, and installations.

Over the Juneteenth weekend, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, hosts a variety of talks and panel discussions regarding the origins of the festival. In addition, Juneteenth is observed by patronizing Black-owned Businesses.

Like most Black festive occasions, a significant portion centers around attire. The attire that individuals sport is still an essential aspect of Juneteenth, a day dedicated to reclaiming and celebrating racial and political equality. If you want to see some examples of the outstanding creative talent of Black people celebrating freedom, look for "Juneteenth Tee Shirts." 

Possessing influence over one's appearance served as a symbol of liberation and a means of erasing one's identification as an enslaved person. There are reports of earlier enslaved people throwing their worn-out clothing into streams and rivers during the initial periods of the abolitionist movement celebrations to dress in apparel that had been confiscated from the estates owned by their erstwhile "owners."

Families will sometimes have potlucks or excursions. Drum grills emit clouds of smoke, paper plates are blown apart, and self-proclaimed Southern potato salad queens serve in bowls. There might be chargrilled oysters, hearty baked beans, and a lot of pulled pork with a vinegary flavor. Texas watermelons, Red velvet cake, and Pete's hot sauce are available. 

Countries that Observe Juneteenth

Among the never-ending list of events happening across the 50 states of the United States of America, we have successfully managed to short it to youthreesignificant events that will help us remember and mark the significance of the glorious holiday. 

• Accessible operas, festivities, excursions, exhibitions, and a yearly Juneteenth parade takes place in Atlanta. In the Atlanta metropolitan area, there are over 300 Black-owned merchants, music, historical reenactments, kid-friendly activities, and a 5K Freedom Run at Juneteenth events.
• One of the most extensive Black cultural art exhibits on the East Coast, the 45th annual AFRAM Festival is held in Baltimore on June 18 and 19.
• The Embrace Ideas Festival is hosted in Boston for the inaugural time during Juneteenth and spans five days; organized by the charitable organization King Boston and begins on June 13. Yolanda King, the granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr., opens the five days of entertainment, including rock concerts, art exhibits, a block party, and more.

Interesting Facts about Juneteenth

Although it has long been commemorated in the African American community, most Americans are still unaware of this significant event. So, we're bringing you a few obscure facts that could aid your quest for more excellent knowledge.

• The date was officially declared a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, by Joe Biden.
• Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth a national holiday in 1979.
• Clothing such as the Linsey and Osnaburg had served as the symbol of slavery.
• General Gordon Granger of the Union informed everyone that all enslaved people in the Southwest were now free.
• But remember that wearing white can be risky given that strawberry soda and red dishes are traditional Juneteenth fare.
• Even today, on "June 19," the Juneteenth Flag is being raised at the Dillaway Thomas House in Roxbury Heritage Park.
• To commemorate this day, a group of Black businessmen and clergy bought 10 acres of land in Houston and named it Emancipation Park.
• The official title of the federal holiday: Juneteenth Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day are additional names for Juneteenth National Independence Day.
• The significance of colors in this festival is immeasurable. Red is used to symbolize effort and giving. Black tells black people, and Green represents Africa's abundant natural resources.

Unique Juneteenth Celebration Ideas

Here is a list of best practices for celebrating Juneteenth at work and with your friends and family! 

• Reserve a Speaker
• Stipend for Black Business Patronage. 
• Deliver a Care Package filled with Black-made Goods. 
• Be a Black Philanthropist's supporter. 
• Endorse a program for black mentors. 
• Concentrate your attention on inclusivity and diversity.
• Showcase various viewpoints.
• Give Black authors their own online book club session. A few books you may as well read yourself, for example.

1. A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
2. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley
3. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

• Visit Sites of Historical Importance Virtually. Some special recommendations include 

1. A Walk Through Harlem with The New York Times
2. Virtual Civil Rights Trail
3. Freedom March Selma to Montgomery

• You can also visit these historical destinations to make your holiday more memorable.

1. Fort Worth, Texas
2. Tulsa, Oklahoma
3. St. Augustine, Florida
4. Washington, DC.
5. Montgomery, Alabama
6. Auburn, New York
7. Los Angeles
8. Atlanta
9. Baltimore
10. Philadelphia
11. Chigaco
12. Oakland, California

Juneteenth Quotes

We collected some motivational sayings from Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. These influential public people have influenced our nation with wise sayings, important speeches, and more.

"If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything... that smacks of discrimination or slander." - Mary McLeod Bethune

"One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings." - Franklin Thomas

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King

FAQ

1. Does every state observe Juneteenth as a federal holiday?

Juneteenth is not yet a paid public holiday in 26 states.

2. Is Juneteenth observed globally?

Organizations from various nations use the day to celebrate it as well as in other countries.

3. Why is 'Juneteenth' used instead of 'June 19'?

The term "Juneteenth," which combines the words "June" and "nineteenth," refers to the holiday's date.

4. How to celebrate this day in style?

Clothing in red, white, and blue is a prevalent theme. Others choose to dress in the Pan-African flag's red, black, and green colors.

5. What does the Juneteenth flag signify?

The Juneteenth banner stands for Black Americans' and African Americans' right to liberty and democracy. Check this out to know more about the history of the flag.