What Is Juneteenth? Are There Any Juneteenth Events In Oklahoma In 2025?

Summary:
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th each year, marks the end of slavery in the United States, commemorating the 1865 liberation of enslaved people in Texas. While the holiday has deep historical roots, its official recognition grew over time, becoming a national holiday in 2021. In Oklahoma, several major events are planned in 2025 to honor Juneteenth, including festivals and showcases across the state.

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1. The Origins of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19th to honor the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. The name "Juneteenth" combines "June" and "nineteenth," the day it all began in 1865, when the U.S. Army arrived in Texas and freed 250,000 enslaved people in the last days of the Civil War. This marked the moment when, finally, even people farthest from the news of freedom were told they were free.

On that day, Major General Gordon Granger issued a historic order known as General Order 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. 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."

Ironically, this important announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Even though Lincoln's order called for all slaves to be freed, it took a long time for it to be enforced everywhere, especially in Confederate-controlled areas like Texas.

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2. The Complicated Path to Freedom

The Civil War officially ended on April 9, 1865, but many enslaved people in remote regions like Texas remained in bondage for months longer. Historians note that Confederate supporters kept moving deeper into Texas to avoid Union armies who were spreading the news of emancipation. According to worldhistory.org, General Order 3 did not end slavery in all of America—it specifically applied to Texas and not the whole country.

In fact, slavery wasn't formally abolished in the United States until December 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified. Even then, communication was slow, and the message of freedom spread unevenly.

"General Order 3 was explicitly for the people of Texas, not the country."

So, while Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom, it's also a reminder of how long it took for freedom to reach everyone, and how the struggle continued.

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3. How Juneteenth Became a National Holiday

Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas and slowly spread across the country. It became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980, but it took decades for other states to recognize the day.

In the wake of the 2020 nationwide protests against racial injustice after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Juneteenth gained more national attention. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law making Juneteenth a Federal holiday—the first new national holiday since the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday was created nearly 40 years earlier.

President Biden's reflection on the day captures its significance:

"One of my proudest actions as President has been signing the bipartisan law establishing Juneteenth as the first new Federal holiday since the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday nearly four decades ago. On this Juneteenth Day of Observance, we commemorate America's dedication to the cause of freedom... The arrival of Major General Gordon Granger and his troops signaled that the Federal Government would not relent until the last enslaved people in America were free."

Before it became a Federal holiday, a handful of states, including Oklahoma (1994), Florida (1991), and Minnesota (1996), were among the first outside of Texas to officially observe Juneteenth.

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4. Juneteenth Events in Oklahoma (2025)

Oklahoma celebrates Juneteenth in a big way every year! If you want to join in for 2025, here are the major events happening across the state:

1. Tulsa Juneteenth Festival (June 20-21)
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2. OKC Juneteenth On The East (June 19-21)
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3. The Greenwood Beat Juneteenth Poetry Showcase (June 19)
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4. Norman Juneteenth Festival (June 19)
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Each event has its own unique flair, with music, food, speakers, history, and live performances. Whether you want to experience vibrant parades or meaningful poetry, there's something for everyone 🌟.

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5. About the Author

Drake Johnson is a Digital Content Producer at Griffin Media. He's been working with the team since July 2021, after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in journalism.

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Final Thoughts

Juneteenth is both a joyful celebration and a solemn reminder of how the fight for freedom and equality in America has changed over time. Whether you're in Oklahoma or anywhere else, it's a day to honor history, acknowledge the complex path to justice, and join your community in celebration and reflection.