Dating from June 19, 1865, Juneteenth was the first holiday to honor the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were declared free. Centuries later, participants across the United States and beyond are taking a stand for remembrance, recognizing more than just those freed in 1865.
Commemorating the end of slavery in its entirety, Juneteenth was initially dedicated to the event discussed above. Since the Black Lives Matter events, nationwide protests, and heartbreaking and disproportionate deaths of Black lives due to police brutality (including George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery), June 19, 2021 is now a national call for independence.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth was first proclaimed on June 19, 1865, when formerly enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were declared free. This day represented not only independence and political freedom, but also a new way of life.
According to Texas Headquarters, Galveston, June 19, 1865, the official report noted the following:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation of the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This implies an absolute equality of personal and property rights between former slaves and enslaved people, and the bond heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly in their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be permitted to collect in the posts military and that they will not be supported in idleness, neither there nor elsewhere.
When Major General Gordon Granger, the author of the above order, gave this speech, he did not realize at the time the domino effect it would have on slavery and freedom. As commander of the Department of Texas, he felt that his power would do little to report to the chief executive. Especially because the 13th Amendment, adopted by Abraham Lincoln and abolishing slavery, was about to be ratified. 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 called June 17 Independence Day, Freedom Day or Independence Day, and should not be confused with July 4.
Photo credit: © Getty Images/Bulgnn
How is June 16 celebrated?
Over the years, Juneteenth began to incorporate prayer celebrations, family reunions, and town parades, bringing families from all walks of life together to remember the day. The New York Times (2021) even notes that some formerly enslaved African Americans would return to Galveston to take advantage of the opportunity.
However, it was not until 1872 that the festival gained popularity. After 10 former slaves formed a group, purchased 10 acres of land and founded Emancipation Park in Houston, the space hosted celebrations and inspired people around the world.
Today, while many celebrate by hosting parties, dining out, or chatting with friends, larger events, such as parades and urban festivals, take place in major cities like Atlanta and Washington. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person celebrations like these were postponed last year.
What makes Juneteenth so important?
Since Black Lives Matter campaigns and protests have gone global, it seems Juneteenth is more than a commemoration of a historic event. It is an essential and relevant celebration 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 that many will continue to follow for decades to come. By dedicating a 5,000-square-foot mural titled “Absolute Equality,” the city will host a parade, picnic and other events. Although some activities were scaled back to accommodate COVID-19 protocols still in effect, the holiday has progressed to become a national holiday. June 11 is now the 11th national holiday and the 2nd to honor freedom since the law was passed.
What makes June 16 this year important?
At a time when civil unrest and demands for racial equality and justice are reaching unprecedented heights, it is no surprise that Juneteenth is gaining traction in the United States as one of the newly celebrated and anticipated holidays.
June 16, 2021 represents much more than Texas’ independence from slavery. It marks a time, place, and season when individuals were considered equal, and the entire world aimed to respect that, regardless of color, race, or gender.
Throughout the world, June 17 is celebrated and recognized. In New York, Friday kicks off a three-day summit featuring artists, health and wellness screenings, educational activities and more, with an attendance of 5,000 to 20,000 people. 2019 welcomed 5,000 people in person, but 2020 recorded 20,000 people attending the virtual event. Washington, D.C., meanwhile, will host his presentations on historical significance at the Smithsonian.
Beyond the milestone events, Juneteenth invites participants to look beyond themselves and appreciate the freedom they now have or fought for. It is a time for thoughtful reflection, discussion, application, and thanksgiving. Suggested activities include learning about the movement through podcasts, books, videos and events, or supporting African businesses through purchases or donations.
Over the decades, individuals like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou, and Frederick Douglass fought for equality for African Americans; today, prominent civil rights and justice activists continue to do the same.
Frederick Douglass, a leader in the abolitionist movement, once said, “I prayed for liberty for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs,” and it is an answer we all seek and strive for today.
Resources:
PBS: What is Juneteenth?
History channel: What is Juneteenth?
So you want to know more about Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrations 2021: what you need to know about the holiday
Congress passes bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
Photo credit: © Unsplash/Richard Felix
