Written by Lauren James Budhu
There is a recently minted holiday that many may not know much about or even celebrate: Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th each year.
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863, which issued that all enslaved people in the Confederate states “shall be then, thenceforward, forever free.” In actuality, however, it didn’t instantly free enslaved people. It only applied to places under Confederate rule, and not to slave-holding states already under Union control.
Juneteenth marks the official day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. According to History.com, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House in early 1865 in Virginia, but slavery had remained in effect in Texas - that is, until the U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas land and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
In 1866, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19th. Over the following decades, Juneteenth commemorations grew to feature music, barbecues, prayer services, and other activities; as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, the Juneteenth tradition grew.
In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday; several others followed suit over the years. Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, national protests and reckonings over race helped set the stage for Juneteenth to be honored as a federal holiday; Congress passed a resolution establishing it as such, which President Biden signed into law on June 17, 2021.
Whether you have long-celebrated or you're just learning about this important day, Juneteenth is one holiday that everyone can commemorate. Here are five ways to do so:
- Celebrate: Red is the color associated with the holiday, as it symbolizes sacrifice and transition. Celebrations for Juneteenth typically include red foods, such as red velvet cake, red beans, hibiscus tea, watermelon, and barbecued meats. Popular sides include corn bread, collard greens and cabbage, which in Black traditions represent prosperity, good fortune, and wealth, according to AARP.com.
- Support Black-owned Businesses: Help mark the holiday by supporting Black-owned businesses in your town or online. Here are a few options on where to buy Black-owned home goods, apparel, skin care and wines, as recommended by Sisters from AARP, a newsletter celebrating Black women.
- Spread the Word: Educating yourself about Juneteenth is the first step; it’s important to spread the word about the holiday, educating your friends and family as well.
- Donate to Supportive Organizations: One way to celebrate Juneteenth is by donating to organizations that support Black communities. Find organizations that resonate with your beliefs or support causes you are passionate about. This includes the American Civil Liberties Union, Audre Lorde Project, Bail Project and the Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund.
- Attend Juneteenth Events: Several cities have offerings for the holiday, both online and virtually. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., has a full lineup of digital resources to mark the holiday, including musical performances, lectures, and a guide for researching ancestors. Juneteenth NY will host a three-day, online and in-person Juneteenth summit featuring performances, a parade and lectures. If you're on the West Coast, check out the African American Community Service Agency's 40th Annual Juneteenth in the Park Festival in Santa Barbara County, with events that focus on wellness, education and entertainment spread throughout the area.
Let’s pass down the history, learning from the past for a better future. Eat, drink and be merry this Juneteenth! Learn more!
Image: The Juneteenth Flag, created by activist Ben Haith.
