Insight into Juneteenth: A Freshly Recognized National Holiday in the U.S.
The surge of the Black Lives Matter movement illuminated Juneteenth in national prominence, building upon decades of effort initiated by activists and leaders to garner acknowledgement for this pivotal event. In 2021, Juneteenth was declared the most recent federal holiday in the U.S., marking the first approval since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
With Juneteenth now a national holiday, many people in the public and private sectors are afforded an additional day off work while businesses and corporations take advantage of the occasion by launching promotional marketing campaigns. However, there's more to Juneteenth than a long weekend and branded merchandise.
As Black Americans continue to grapple with similar issues and inequalities that fueled the protests of 2020, it's valuable to reflect on the history behind the holiday.
Juneteenth signifies the abolition of slavery
Juneteenth – also referred to as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day – honors the abolition of slavery in the United States.
A portmanteau of June and nineteenth, it commemorates June 19, 1865 – the day when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, stating that the slaves in the region were now free.
"The residents of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a decree from the U.S. President, all slaves are now free," the order stated. "This encompasses an equal status of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the relationship previously existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor."
Emancipation for the enslaved inhabitants of Galveston, Texas, occurred more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which could not be implemented in areas under Confederate rule. It also occurred roughly two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia – an event widely regarded as the closure of the Civil War.
How Juneteenth is observed
One informal celebration of freedom by locals in Galveston ultimately evolved into a broader celebration of the end of slavery as African Americans in Texas migrated to other regions. Today, many African Americans commemorate Juneteenth with gatherings, parades, and social events with their friends and family.
Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday in 1980. Additionally, Juneteenth will be recognized as a federal holiday by at least 28 states and Washington, D.C., according to the Pew Research Center. Other states will celebrate it as a day of observation or otherwise.
As more people become aware of Juneteenth's significance, some activists and leaders call attention to the ongoing systemic inequities that Black Americans continue to face, such as the racial wealth gap, discriminatory incarceration, and chronic health disparities. One prominent coalition advocating for Black communities' interests recognizes the holiday by emphasizing the struggle for reparations.
With Juneteenth gaining broader attention, many activists propose using this opportunity to evaluate the progress the nation has made – and the efforts still required for a fuller realization of freedom and equality.
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In the United States, the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021 was a significant step for the country, following years of advocacy by activists and leaders. As a result, many individuals and businesses celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the day when slavery was abolished in Texas in 1865.
Despite Juneteenth becoming a national holiday, the struggle for reparations and addressing systemic inequities, such as the racial wealth gap and discriminatory incarceration, continue to be prominent issues for activists and advocacy groups.
