What Is Juneteenth?
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Dating back to June 19, 1865, Juneteenth was the first holiday to honor the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were declared free. Many centuries later, participants across the United States and beyond take a stance in remembrance, acknowledging more than just those freed in 1865.
Commemorating the end of slavery in its entirety, Juneteenth was initially dedicated to the event mentioned above. Since the events of Black Lives Matter, nationwide protests, and the heartbreakingly disproportionate deaths of black lives through police brutality (including George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery), Juneteenth 2021 is now a national call to independence.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth was first proclaimed on June 19, 1865, when previously enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were declared free. This day not only represented independence and political liberty, but also a new way of life.
According to the Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865, the official report noted the following:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and property rights between former enslavers and enslaved people, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."
When Major Gen. Gordon Granger, the issuer of the above order, gave this address, he did not realize the domino effect it would have on slavery and freedom at the time. As commander of the Department of Texas, he felt that his power would do little in reporting to the executive head. Especially because the 13th Amendment, which was passed by Abraham Lincoln and abolished slavery, was on its way to ratification. However, Granger's announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, issued two years earlier, in 1863.
And Juneteenth was born, combining the month of June and the 19th day on which this declaration was made. It is also referred to as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Independence Day, and should not be confused with the Fourth of July.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Bulgnn
How Is Juneteenth Celebrated?
Over the years, Juneteenth began to incorporate prayer celebrations, family meetings, and city parades, bringing families of all backgrounds together to remember this day. The New York Times (2021) even notes that some former enslaved African Americans would return to Galveston to seize the day.
However, it was not until 1872 that the holiday gained popularity. After 10 formerly enslaved people formed a group, purchased 10 acres of land, and founded Emancipation Park in Houston, the space hosted celebrations and inspired people worldwide.
Today, while many celebrate with cookouts, dining out, or talking with friends, more significant events, such as parades and city festivals, are held in major cities such as Atlanta and Washington. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person celebrations like these were held off last year.
What Makes Juneteenth So Important?
Since Black Lives Matter campaigns and protests have gone global, it appears that Juneteenth is more than a commemoration of a historic event. It’s an essential and relevant holiday of the present and future.
This year, in 2021, Galveston continues to lead by example and hopes that this year's celebration will start a trend many will continue to follow for decades. Dedicating a 5,000 square-foot mural entitled "Absolute Equality," the city will host a parade, picnic, and additional events. While some activities have been reduced to accommodate COVID-19 protocols still in place, the holiday has made strides to become a national one. Juneteenth is now the 11th national holiday and the 2nd to honor freedom since the law was passed.
What Makes This Year’s Juneteenth Significant?
At a time when civil unrest and demands for racial equality and justice are at an all-time high, it is no surprise that Juneteenth is gaining traction across the United States as one of the newly celebrated and anticipated holidays.
Juneteenth, 2021, represents much more than Texas's independence from slavery. It marks a time, place, and season when individuals were seen as equal, and the entire world aimed to respect that, regardless of color, race, or gender.
Globally, Juneteenth is celebrated and recognized. In New York, Friday will kick off a Three-Day-Summit featuring performers, health and wellness screenings, educational activities, and more, with attendance between 5,000 and 20,000 people. 2019 hosted 5,000 in-person, but 2020 recorded 20,000 people in attendance at the virtual event. Washington, D.C., on the other hand, will host its historical significance presentations at the Smithsonian.
Beyond significant events, Juneteenth invites participants to look beyond themselves and appreciate the freedom they now have or fought to achieve. It's a time for thoughtful reflection, discussion, application, and thanksgiving. Suggested activities include educating oneself on the movement through podcasts, books, videos, and events, or supporting African businesses through purchases or donations.
Throughout the decades, individuals like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou, and Frederick Douglass fought for African American equality; today, leading activists for civil rights and justice continue to do the same.
Frederick Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement, once said, "I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs," and that's an answer we're all searching for but striving towards today.
Resources:
PBS: What Is Juneteenth?
History Channel: What Is Juneteenth?
So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?
Juneteenth 2021 celebrations: What to know about the holiday
Congress passes bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Richard Felix
