Juneteenth Freedom Day

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (short for June nineteenth) commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to alert enslaved people they were finally free. The declaration was made more than two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and its anniversary marks the official end of enslavement in the U.S.

How is Juneteenth Celebrated?

The first Juneteenth celebration took place in 1866, and festivities throughout the U.S. have continued on the date ever since. In 1872, a group of formerly enslaved people put together $800 and purchased 10 acres of land in Houston, Texas, for the city’s annual observation of Juneteenth, and they named the space Emancipation Park, where the holiday continues to be recognized each year.

Today, Juneteenth celebrations continue to be held throughout the country, and often involve events such as picnics, barbecues, church ceremonies, parades, concerts and more. Traditionally, red drinks, such as strawberry soda, and red foods, like red velvet cake, are a must at the cookouts, as the primary color symbolizes resilience.

Why is celebrating Juneteenth Important?

Juneteenth represents Independence Day for Black people in the U.S., and serves as a reminder for their continued fight for equity and freedom.

Resources to Learn More

So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?
Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
Teaching Juneteenth
The Emancipation Proclamation
Order No 3
Juneteenth Texas : Essays in African-American Folklore
This is Why Juneteenth Is Important for America (Video)
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation
Juneteenth for Mazie
Tell Congress: We need National Recognition of Juneteenth
Juneteenth: Our Additional Independence Day
Why’d it Take so Long for Some of Us to Find Out About Juneteenth?