Ask anyone in the US about Independence Day and they’ll immediately think of the Fourth of July. They celebrate with fireworks, cookouts, and wearing the colors of the flag.
People used to attend these celebrations when they were little. But then, they began to uncover the truth. They came to understand that while British-American colonizers celebrated their independence, their ancestors were still enslaved. They were denied basic rights.
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Overview of Juneteenth
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This outlawed slavery in Confederate states. But, enslaved people weren’t free right away. Many slave owners didn’t free their slaves until they were forced to by Union troops.
Texas had a large enslaved population and little Union presence, which led more enslavers to move there. After the Civil War ended with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to free the slaves. However, he advised them to stay at their enslavers’ homes and consider themselves as employees instead.
The newly freed people did not receive reparations or resources. They faced sharecropping instead of true freedom. But, Granger’s arrival marked the end of slavery for 250,000 people in Texas. This event led to Juneteenth celebrations among the newly freed Black community. In December, the 13th Amendment was ratified, formally ending slavery in all states.
In 1849, California wanted to join the Union as a free state, promising not to recognize slavery. However, once many enslavers moved to California, this changed. Ads in San Francisco and Sacramento offered enslaved people for sale or rewards for capturing escapees.
The State of California recognized Juneteenth in 2003. Among the counties was Santa Clara, the first in California to make Juneteenth an official holiday.
Juneteenth Today
In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. The bill was passed on June 7, the anniversary of Homer Plessy’s arrest. Rep. Al Edwards of Houston, known as “the father of the Juneteenth holiday,” pushed for the holiday as a “source of strength” for young people. Texas also kept January 19 as Confederate Heroes Day for some.
Since then, 41 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as a holiday, including Rhode Island this year. Al Edwards said about Juneteenth that it helps each generation remember the event’s importance and the responsibilities it carries.
The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, led by Rev. Ronald Meyers, aims to make Juneteenth a federal holiday like Flag and Patriot Days. They are not asking for it to be a paid holiday like Columbus Day.
As of 2024, 27 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees. The rest at least have a ceremonial observance. New Mexico’s personnel board calls it a paid holiday for workers, even though it’s not officially a statutory holiday there. Some states may choose to make it a paid holiday each year based on the governor’s decision, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Celebrations
People celebrate Juneteenth by attending parades, marches, and barbecues. Many also gather for ceremonies that feature public service awards, prayer, and raising the Juneteenth Flag. Some cities and groups hold Miss Juneteenth contests.
Early Juneteenth celebrations included baseball, fishing, and rodeos. Since African Americans were often banned from public spaces, they held their events at churches or near water. The gatherings featured big meals and people dressed in their best clothes. Many formerly enslaved people and their descendants made a trip to Galveston. As these festivals gained attention, they helped include African-American stories in the broader American narrative.
Now, Juneteenth celebrations often include talks and exhibitions about African-American culture. The holiday focuses on teaching African-American history and pride. Karen M. Thomas noted that community leaders use Juneteenth to build pride in Black youth. Events often feature voter registration drives, plays, and storytelling. Food is a big part of the celebrations, with barbecue being a highlight. Major news networks now run specials and feature prominent Black voices during the holiday.
Government offices and schools often offer programs or information about the holiday’s history and the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a special time for African Americans to honor their heritage. Today, Juneteenth is also a time to raise awareness.
