What is Juneteenth? Explaining the Holiday's Meaning and Origins

Brief Summary:
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free, making it a powerful symbol of freedom and progress. Originally celebrated mainly within the Black community, Juneteenth has grown into a federally recognized holiday, full of vibrant cultural traditions and historical meaning. This guide explains Juneteenth's origins, history, modern significance, and its connections to other important dates in U.S. history.

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1. What is Juneteenth? A Celebration of Freedom

This Thursday marks 160 years since the origin of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day the last group of enslaved people in the United States learned they had been freed. For decades, Juneteenth was primarily celebrated within the Black community, but in recent years it has become a federally recognized holiday, allowing people all over the country to come together each June 19th for gatherings, dancing, historical reenactments, and more.

As Sam Collins, a trustee at the Rosenberg Library in Galveston (also known as "Professor Juneteenth"), explained:

"It's not so much about slavery as it is about the freedom from slavery and what it allowed for the former enslaved people to live their lives free, to marry, to learn to read, to educate themselves, to have self agency over their bodies, to keep their families together."

At its heart, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and opportunity, honoring the resilience and dreams of those once enslaved.

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2. How Did Juneteenth Get Its Start?

Juneteenth's story begins in Galveston, Texas, in 1865—about 57 miles from Houston. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln two years earlier, declaring that all slaves in rebellious states were free, the news didn't reach the entire country at once.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops made their way to Galveston Bay, finally letting the last enslaved African Americans in Texas know that they were free. As Collins emphasized:

"This is American history, world history, Texas history, and most of all, Galveston history, because Galveston, Texas is the birthplace of Juneteenth."

While formerly enslaved people celebrated their freedom immediately after June 1865, Juneteenth festivities declined for a while. In 1879, a push to create a holiday for Black emancipation didn't gain enough support during the restrictive Jim Crow era. But Juneteenth's spirit was kept alive through families and elders passing down oral histories.

Juneteenth celebrations began to resurface in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks in part to Texas politician Albert Ely Edwards, who advocated for Juneteenth as a state holiday. Collins reflected:

"There are many ancestors and elders that kept the oral history going until we made it to 2021 and it became a national holiday."

Collins noted a pivotal turning point for national recognition: the murder of George Floyd in 2020. This tragedy inspired greater support for the holiday, and Opal Lee—known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth—saw her federal holiday petition skyrocket to more than 1.6 million signatures.

Finally, in June 2021, President Joe Biden officially declared June 19th as a national holiday, with Opal Lee present at the ceremony. Collins poignantly added:

"I wish they had lived to see it,"

referring to advocates who pushed to make Juneteenth a federal holiday but passed away before seeing its realization.

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3. What Do Juneteenth Celebrations Look Like?

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated with parades, pageants, music, speeches, and food, and it's not unusual to see red, white, and blue flags with a star in the center—the Juneteenth flag, representing freedom for all Americans.

Another popular symbol is the flag with Pan African colors: red, black, and green.

Traditional foods often showcase the color red, like punch and watermelon (easy to share, almost like cake). These choices reflect both resilience and cultural tradition. Today's festivities have expanded, including pageants, parades, and vibrant festivals—as seen in this photo:

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4. Juneteenth and the Fourth of July: Complementary, Not Competing

Some mistakenly think Juneteenth and the Fourth of July are in competition, but as Collins explained:

"The Fourth of July is a freedom birthday for the country, and June 19 is a freedom birthday for the formerly enslaved."

Collins also reminded us that America's story includes Indigenous people long before 1776. For him, Juneteenth is not just for Texans or for Black Americans—it's a holiday to honor everyone's struggle for freedom:

"It's for everyone to celebrate freedom and liberty."

Celebrations are family-friendly and community-oriented, welcoming everyone:

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5. How is Juneteenth Tied to May 5?

Juneteenth isn't the only date in American history with a deeper story. Collins compares U.S. history to a salad—a blend of different stories, holidays, and cultures.

"By adding Juneteenth, the national holiday, we flavor up the history, and we expand the narrative to tell the full story of the contributions of everyone in the history of everyone in our community."

He highlighted connections between Juneteenth and Cinco de Mayo. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla. At the time, France planned to support the Confederacy with weapons in exchange for cotton, but their defeat delayed this alliance, giving the Union more time to secure victories.

Some historians believe this event helped ensure that freedom would ultimately prevail:

"We need to acknowledge all of this history and tell the full story. The national holiday helps to repair the foundation of our American history's story."

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Conclusion

Juneteenth is so much more than an anniversary; it's a living celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward equality in the United States. The holiday's traditions, symbolism, and recognition help foster understanding, healing, and unity across communities. As we honor Juneteenth, we're reminded to celebrate every story in the American mosaic—and to continue striving for liberty and justice for all.