By: Pamela Stern
Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Galveston, Texas.
Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee, and others.
Early celebrations date back to 1866, first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. Beginning with Texas by proclamation in 1938, and by legislation in 1979, every US state and the District of Columbia has formally recognized the holiday in some way. With its adoption in parts of Mexico, the holiday has become an international holiday. Juneteenth is celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped from slavery in 1852 and settled in Coahuila, Mexico.
Celebratory traditions often include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation singing traditional songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “ Lift Every Voice and Sing”, and the reading of works by African-American writers, such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelo. Juneteenth celebrations may also include rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, parties, historical reenactments, and Miss Juneteenth contests. In 2021, Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
The holiday is considered the “longest-running African-American holiday” and has been called “America’s second Independence Day”. Juneteenth is usually celebrated on the third Saturday in June.
Early celebrations consisted of baseball, fishing, and rodeos. African-Americans were often prohibited from using public facilities for their celebrations, so they were often held at churches or near water. Celebrations included elaborate large meals and people wearing their best clothing. It was common for former slaves and their descendants to make a trip to Galveston.
Juneteenth celebrations often include lectures and exhibitions on African-American culture. The modern holiday places emphasis upon teaching about African-American heritage. The holiday is also a celebration of soul food and other food with African-American influences. In many places, Juneteenth has become a multi-cultural holiday. Red food and drinks are traditional during the celebrations, including red velvet cake and strawberry soda, with red meant to represent resilience and joy.
How to Celebrate Juneteenth
Red is a prominent color in Juneteenth celebrations. It symbolizes the shed blood of enslaved Black people. Serve a pitcher of strawberry punch or soda—the unofficial drink of Juneteenth—or hibiscus tea at your celebration.
Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth:
- Find an event in your area
- Cook some traditional foods
- Support Black Owned-Businesses
- Listen to Black Artists
- Watch Black TV Shows and Movies
- Read books written by Black Authors and Poets
- Visit an Exhibit or Museum dedicated to Black Culture
- Do Fun Arts and Crafts with Your Kids
- Learn about the History of Juneteenth
