- Categories:
- Federal
- Tags:
- AmericanHistorical
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 19
- Holiday emoji:
- ✊🏿
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. every June 19. This federal holiday invites reflection on the journey to freedom, the resilience of a people, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. Join in community celebrations, educate yourself on Black history, and support Black-owned businesses.
Want to sponsor Juneteenth? Learn how
History of Juneteenth
According to the official website of the historical event, Juneteenth is ‘the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.’ Other than marking a pivotal date of significance in American history, Juneteenth also serves as an opportunity for African Americans to cherish their culture and heritage.
More than 155 years old, Juneteenth celebrates the liberation of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. The reason for it being celebrated on June 19 is because, on this day in 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army landed in Texas, he brought the news that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free.
The proclamation declaring the abolishment of slavery was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, in the nation’s third year of an ongoing civil war. Known as the Emancipation Proclamation, it declared that ‘all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State […] shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.’ Granger’s arrival at Texas was to enforce this decree, which had originally gone into effect two years earlier.
The news had come as a shock to more than 250,000 slaves in Texas who were unaware of it.
On June 19, in the city of Galveston, Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which stated: ‘The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.’
As to why the news of the abolition of slavery reached Texas so late, there are varying accounts. One story states that the messenger bearing the news was assassinated on his journey. Some historians believe that the report on the Emancipation Proclamation was withheld by slave owners in Texas on purpose so that they can go about their business as usual and keep the labor force working. Historians also note that, until 1865, Texas remained a Confederate State, so Lincoln’s proclamation could not have been enforced until Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army and they took over.
Either way, Granger’s arrival with the grand news stirred the air with jubilance and massive celebrations across the state. A former slave named Felix Haywood gave his recount of the first celebration in 1865 in the book “Lone Star Pasts: Memory and History in Texas” — ‘We was all walkin’ on golden clouds […] Everybody went wild […] We was free. Just like that, we was free.’
Juneteenth timeline
Even though they are officially made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation on this day, many slaves stay with their masters as paid hands.
Martin Luther King delivers one of history’s most inspirational speeches in front of roughly 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial.
This act gives the federal government the power to enforce desegregation while prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
While Texas was the first state to observe Juneteenth as a state holiday, many others have since followed suit.
“Boston Globe” columnist Renée Graham writes that Juneteenth deserves an elevated status, noting that many African Americans regard the nation’s July 4 holiday with deep ambivalence.
Presidnet Joe Biden declares Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Juneteenth FAQs
When is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth 2026 falls on a Friday, June 19, commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned of their freedom. It’s a federal holiday, inviting nationwide reflection.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This means federal employees observe the day off.
How many people celebrate Juneteenth?
Millions of Americans, particularly within the Black community, celebrate Juneteenth through various cultural events, educational programs, and family gatherings. Its federal holiday status has broadened awareness and participation nationwide.
Why is Juneteenth celebrated on June 19?
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 because it marks the day in 1865 when Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the freedom of enslaved African Americans, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
How to Observe Juneteenth
Fly the Juneteenth flag
Echoing the red, white, and blue of the U.S. flag, the Juneteenth flag signifies that slaves and their descendants are true Americans. A star in the middle represents Texas, with a larger outer star representing new freedom and a new people.
Attend a Juneteenth celebration
Some citizens in the southern states celebrate with readings and oral histories of their ancestors, which is an honorable way to remember a somber period in American history. Celebrations also include cookouts, rodeos, concerts, and parades.
Watch a movie about slavery
Recent titles include "12 Years a Slave," "Glory," Amistad" and "Django Unchained."
5 Courageous Americans Who Fought For Equality
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Perhaps the most widely recognizable name associated with the civil rights movement, Dr. King gave us the famous "I have a Dream" speech in August 1963 — his 1968 murder proved that the movement still had a lot of work to do.
Rosa Parks
With a simple refusal to surrender her seat on a public bus, Parks made a bold statement for African Americans in the South — her December 1955 arrest inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Mildred Loving
Loving and her husband, Richard, were jailed for unlawful cohabitation in Virginia where interracial marriage was illegal in 1958 — their case reached the Supreme Court in 1967, which ruled unanimously in their favor.
Frederick Douglass
An escaped slave, Douglass became an advocate for the abolition of slavery as well as women's rights.
Dred Scott
Enslaved African American Dred Scott sued for his family's freedom in 1857 — the Supreme Court ruled against him, finding that no person of African ancestry could claim U.S. citizenship.
Why Juneteenth is Important
We need to learn from past mistakes
Acknowledging our past helps us to understand what all of us must do as a society to improve. We need to fight for equal access to education for African-American students, freedom of speech, and non-discrimination in all areas of life.
Empathy
Most of us can't imagine a world like this. When Texas finally "freed" their slaves in 1865, it came 30 months after Lincoln's proclamation. Still, even today, America struggles with racial discrimination.
Redemption
Texas was the first state to establish Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980. Today, it's a 'partial staffing' holiday in Texas — government offices do not close but agencies may operate with reduced staff.
