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Juneteenth festival in Milwaukee, 2019 photo by Milwaukee VA Medical Center –

Top 10 Facts About Juneteenth

Special days have long been important for marking and acting as an anchor for the African American community in the United States of America. A special day like this is Juneteenth. In the United States, Juneteenth is a federal holiday honouring the liberation of African Americans from slavery.

African Americans have been celebrating this day since the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until recently that it was given official national recognition. In addition to being a public holiday, Juneteenth serves as a time to honour and celebrate those who fought to end slavery. African Americans are given hope and freedom on this day, and it promotes perseverance in the face of adversity. Let’s explore ten facts about this day, which continues to serve as an important reminder for African Americans.

1. It is celebrated on June 19 proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas

A group photograph of thirty-one people at a Juneteenth Celebration in Emancipation Park in Houston’s Fourth Ward photo by Crowdsourcing-

Every year on June 19, people across the USA observe Juneteenth to remember the day that all subjugated people in Texas were declared free. Slavery in the United States officially ended with this declaration, which was made more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was made. Celebrations of African American history and culture now take place on Juneteenth.

2. Juneteenth derives its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth”

 Juneteenth derives its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth.” The festival known as Juneteenth honours the liberation of slaves in the United States. This declaration, which came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, effectively put an end to slavery in the US. The celebration of Black history and culture is a day for introspection, education, and reflection.

3. It emerged when Union General Gordon Granger declared all Texan slaves free

Gordon Granger. photo by Mathew Benjamin Brady –

Juneteenth emerged when Union General Gordon Granger declared all Texan slaves free. General Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and immediately issued General Order No. 3, which proclaimed all slaves in Texas to be free. This statement, which effectively put an end to slavery in Texas, is regarded as a significant turning point in the fight for African Americans’ freedom and civil rights. Beginning in Texas in 1866, Juneteenth celebrations have expanded across the country as a day to remember the abolition of slavery and to honour African American history and culture.

4. Juneteenth emerged two years after President Lincoln’s signed the Emancipation Proclamation

 The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, two and a half years before Juneteenth, but it wasn’t put into effect in Texas until Granger made his statement. All slaves in Confederate-held territory were proclaimed free by the Emancipation Proclamation, but it did not apply to slaves in border states that remained allies of the Union or in regions that were already under Union rule.

One of the Confederate states that were not directly impacted by the Emancipation Proclamation was Texas. General Granger’s issuance of General Order No. 3 in Galveston in 1865 was the first time Texas heard about emancipation. The proclamation of General Order No. 3 and the legal abolition of slavery in Texas are commemorated on Juneteenth.

5. Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official state holiday

Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas. photo by Charles Stephenson-

The first state to declare Juneteenth a statutory holiday was Texas. A resolution declaring June 19 as “Juneteenth Independence Day” was approved by the Texas Legislature in 1979 in remembrance of the day Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and declared the abolition of slavery in Texas. Since Juneteenth had been observed in Texas since 1866, it was thought that declaring it a state holiday would honour its historical and cultural importance. Since that time, Juneteenth has been celebrated in other states as well, and in 2021 it was declared a federal holiday in the United States.

Read More: 20 Incredible Facts About Texas

6. The Juneteenth flag is a symbol of the American holiday

the symbolism of the Juneteenth flag photo by Bruxton –

The Juneteenth flag serves as a visual representation of the American holiday. Activist Ben Haith produced the initial version in 1997, and it was displayed that year. In 2000, the current iteration made its maiden flight. The flag’s hues and images stand for liberation and the abolition of slavery. Red, white, and blue are incorporated into the flag to represent the tenacity and tenacity of Black Americans.

7. Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021

When President Joe Biden ratified the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday for the first time in 2021. The measure, which was approved by the US Congress with resounding bipartisan support, declares June 19th as a federal holiday in remembrance of the abolition of slavery in the country. Raising consciousness of Juneteenth and arguing for its designation as a federal holiday was accomplished through the efforts of many people, including activists like Lula Briggs Galloway and Opal Lee.

8. It is often referred to as the “Black Fourth of July” 

Because Juneteenth commemorates the day when African Americans were ultimately given the same freedom as white Americans, it is frequently referred to as the “Black Fourth of July.” The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, commemorates the day in 1776 when the United States officially broke away from Great Britain. It is a holiday that is honoured as a testament to American freedom and democracy.

Similar to other holidays, Juneteenth honours the concepts of liberty and democracy, but it also pays tribute to African Americans’ struggles for these ideals in the US. Consequently, Juneteenth has developed into a significant day for commemorating African American history and culture in addition to considering the ongoing fight for racial justice.

Also Read: 15 Interesting Facts About Halloween

9. Juneteenth celebrations often include parades, barbecues, and other community events

Black Unity Juneteenth Celebration photo by David Geitgey Sierralupe-

Parades, barbecues, and other neighbourhood gatherings are frequent features of Juneteenth celebrations. Depending on the neighbourhood and location, Juneteenth is observed in a variety of methods. Parades and marches are held in some locations to mark the occasion, while picnics, parties, and other outdoor gatherings are held in other locations.

Speeches, poetry readings, and other educational activities with an emphasis on African American history and culture are frequently included in Juneteenth celebrations, in addition to music, dance, and other creative expressions. The holiday has grown in significance as a time for activism and community building, with numerous events focusing on calls to action for racial equality and fairness.

10. It is considered the “longest-running African-American holiday”

Juneteenth has been referred to as “America’s second Independence Day” and is regarded as the “longest-running African-American holiday.” Since Juneteenth was first observed by African Americans in 1866, it has gained significance and is now a significant day for commemorating African American history, culture, and freedom.

Its designation as a government holiday in 2021 will mark an important turning point in the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality in the United States. The United States has taken a step towards greater inclusivity and understanding by designating Juneteenth as a national holiday, acknowledging the significance of African American contributions to American history and culture.

Related: Top 10 Unknown Facts about the United States Declaration of  Independence