What is Juneteenth? Why does America celebrate it and will it be a federal holiday?
Image credits: Getty Images
U
nique days and holidays are America's thing. From National Hamburger Day to National High Five Day, the country celebrates some of the most distinct days with exciting fervour.
At the top of this and nearest to come is Juneteenth, America's youngest federal holiday. What is it, why is it celebrated in America and will it be a federal holiday? Let's find out.
What is Juneteenth?
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On June 19th, 1865, the last Black slaves of the Confederacy were ordered free following the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth commemorates this day.
While it may have happened years ago, the holiday came to prominence in 2020 during the nationwide protests for ongoing racial inequalities in the system highlighted after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
It was officially recognized as a federal holiday by President
Joe Biden
in 2021.
The history of Juneteenth
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved African Americans in secessionist states. However, it was two years later in 1865 that the people in Galveston, Texas got news of their freedom.
On June 19th, Major General Gordon Granger announced to the community the proclamation. It was because while the enslaved people had been officially emancipated years ago, their enslavers ignored the order until Union troops arrived to enforce it, told Cliff Robinson, the founder of Juneteenth.com to USA TODAY.
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"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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labourer," announced Granger.
Texas was the last Confederate state to announce the proclamation in America.
When is Juneteenth?
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Juneteenth National Independence Day is celebrated on June 19, every year which is Thursday, in 2025. It is considered a federal holiday.
Why is it called Juneteenth?
The word Juneteenth combines "June" and "nineteenth" to honour the day when Granger announced the abolition of slavery in Texas. It is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.
What will be open and close on Juneteenth?
The United States Postal Service, schools, and banks including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, Truist, and others will be closed on Juneteenth.
How is Juneteenth celebrated?
Image credits: Getty Images
The celebration of Juneteenth marks the Black Americans' true Independence Day. It includes prayer services, family gatherings, community festivals and parades and education speeches that remind people of the history of the Black culture and their fight for freedom.
Red foods and drinks mark an important part of the Juneteenth celebrations as the colour is highly associated with the people of Yaruba and Kongo, who were affected by the transatlantic slave trade. It symbolizes sacrifice, transition and power.
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