It's no secret that Black voices and Black holidays have never been given the recognition (opens in new tab) in the United States—or elsewhere—that they deserve. One such holiday is Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day or Freedom Day. A contraction of the date June 19, it marks the official emancipation of slaves in America (although we know now that slavery continued even thereafter (opens in new tab)). While absent from many people's history classes, June 19, 1865 was a monumental date in American history.
Black Lives Matter
It's jarring to compare Juneteenth to the Fourth of July, another American date driven by so-called freedom, but one that has enjoyed far, far more recognition—and it's especially jarring to recall that on July 4, 1776, there were many Americans who could not enjoy freedom. As allies (opens in new tab), it's essential to be educated about holidays like these. Here's everything you need to know about Juneteenth, which states celebrate it, and how you can honor it in your community.
The History of Juneteenth
More than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger and approximately 1,800 federal troops (opens in new tab) arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Their mission? They planned to take control of the state and enforce what President Lincoln had implemented two years prior.
I know what you're thinking. How is that possible that a whole state, especially one as large as Texas, wouldn't have heard of the groundbreaking law, especially when it had been "in action" for two years? The reason: Texas was one of the few states in the South that had yet to be claimed by the Union army.
Since it was one of the few states left untouched, a ton of slave owners since the capture of New Orleans in 1862 from Mississippi, Louisiana, and other points East had been migrating to Texas to escape the Union Army. Wild, I know.
A group of freed slaves along a harbor.
Down South, Granger read General Orders No. 3 (opens in new tab), which signaled freedom for Texas's 250,000 slaves and established the Union Army's authority over the people of Texas. It read:
"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 rights of property between former masters and slaves, 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."
Unfortunately, not everyone heard the news immediately. According to PBS (opens in new tab), on plantations, masters ultimately decided when they would announce the news. Some waited for government agents to arrive, or waited to break the news until after the harvest season.
Despite the setbacks, that didn't stop celebrations among the newly freed as they celebrated the birth of a new holiday, which would become Juneteenth.
46 States Currently Recognize Juneteenth as a Holiday
In 1980, Texas became the first state (opens in new tab) to make Juneteenth a state holiday, although it had been celebrated informally since 1865. Since then, all but four states recognize the holiday. Those states are Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.
The Juneteenth Music Festival in Denver, Colorado.
As for its status as a national holiday, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution (opens in new tab) last year recognizing "Juneteenth Independence Day" as a national holiday. Still, it has not yet been approved in the House.
How can I get involved in Juneteenth?
Organizations such as the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (opens in new tab)in Mississippi are still seeking a Congressional designation of Juneteenth as a national holiday. The association recommends volunteering for one of the commissions listed on their website, having or promoting a Juneteenth Celebration in your community, or making a donation.
SIGN THE PETITION (opens in new tab)
You can also make a difference right now by signing their petition, above, to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
-
A Celebrity Colorist Explains Why You Should Always Wash Your Hair After Coloring ItEvery color needs a good cleanse.
-
Lizzo's Game-Changing Eyebrow Hack Is About to Revamp Your Makeup Routine
She also gave us a peek inside her makeup bag.
-
This Is the Only Dry Shampoo That Makes My Hair Feel Clean—Not Crunchy
Bonus: It’s only $8 per bottle.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun Safety
The Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.
Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water
"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
