HONORING AND CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
History of the Holiday
June 18, 2021
This Saturday is Juneteenth, a holiday dedicated to the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day a Union general named Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform slaves of their freedom.
The announcement came at the end of the Civil War — two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1863, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass before this news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song, and dance.
Yesterday, President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, enshrining June 19 as the national day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The law went into effect immediately, making today the first federal Juneteenth holiday.
How to Celebrate
Over the years, Juneteenth has become an opportunity to honor Black history and celebrate Black culture. Below are some ways we can observe this day together:
Read: Books for all ages
- “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed (consider purchasing from the Schomburg Shop to support The Schomburg Center; the Harlem institution dedicated to the study and preservation of Black American culture)
This New York Times bestseller is the sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Texas native. - Other suggestions: https://blackandbookish.com/blog/top-ten-tuesday-juneteenth-books-for-all-ages
Watch: Explore the history
- “Juneteenth: Together We Triumph” ABC, Hulu
2 hours of exploration, storytelling, and performances hosted by Leslie Odom, Jr. - “High On The Hog” Netflix
This new limited series on Netflix is a nuanced celebration of African American food culture.
Listen: In the backyard, at the beach, the soundtrack for the cookout, or just in the living room!
Local Events: Celebrate with events in your city
Virtual events: Participate from the comfort of your home
- https://www.weeksvillesociety.org/new-events-1/2021/6/19/meals-as-collective-memory
- https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/events/celebrate-juneteenth-at-seneca-village
- https://www.stepafrika.org/events/step-afrika-juneteenth-virtual-celebration-2/
HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY
JUNE 18, 2021
This Saturday is Juneteenth, a holiday dedicated to the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day a Union general named Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform slaves of their freedom.
The announcement came at the end of the Civil War — two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1863, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass before this news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song, and dance.
Yesterday, President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, enshrining June 19 as the national day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The law went into effect immediately, making today the first federal Juneteenth holiday.
