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Chicago Tribune
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
What's the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans
The United States' newest federal holiday, celebrated annually on June 19, has quickly become its most puzzling one. Four years after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Americans have wrestled with what to make of the holiday. What is Juneteenth? What is the proper way to celebrate it? Should holiday observers attend barbecues and cookouts? Should Juneteenth's observance be a day of learning? Is there a way to acknowledge the holiday without misappropriating it? This confusion likely emerged because many Americans did not even learn about Juneteenth until around when it became a federal holiday in 2021. Moreover, the Trump administration and state legislatures across the country have further complicated matters with their increased efforts to ban the type of education that led to the national recognition of the holiday in the first place. The Illinois town of Plano made history in its celebration of Juneteenth, but now the party's getting moved to YorkvilleJuneteenth – short for June Nineteenth – recognizes the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with roughly 2,000 federal troops from the 13th Army Corps. Upon arriving, Granger issued General Order No. 3. The order read: '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.' Granger's order effectively freed 250,000 enslaved people in the region. Though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the enslaved in all the states that had seceded from the U.S., nearly 2½ years earlier, Texas, a Confederate state, rebelled against it. At the time, Texas had a minimal number of Union soldiers to enforce the proclamation's emancipation of enslaved people residing within Confederate territory. Consequently, many of those enslaved in Texas remained ignorant of the proclamation's potential impact on their lives, or of the fact the Civil War had functionally ended two months earlier. In an interview published in 1941, for example, Laura Smalley of Hempstead, Texas, remembered how her enslaver fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. He returned without informing those whom he enslaved of their freedom. In her interview, she recounted, 'Old master didn't tell, you know, they was free … I think now they say they worked them, six months after that.' June 19, 1865, a Monday, changed that. The news of emancipation culminated a generations-long struggle for Black people to obtain a modicum of freedom in the U.S. For this reason, some refer to Juneteenth as the nation's second Independence Day. The end of bondage was ostensibly codified in the 13th Amendment ratified later that year. Spontaneous Juneteenth celebrations emerged almost immediately. Celebrants referred to the day as 'Emancipation Day,' 'Freedom Day,' 'Juneteenth' and 'Jubilee Day.' The latter title alluded to the biblical period following seven sabbatical cycles that resulted in canceling debts and freeing the enslaved. Flake's Bulletin, a weekly, Galveston-based publication, reported on an Emancipation Celebration occurring on Jan. 2, 1866, that included upward of 800 people. A similar gathering occurred in Galveston on June 19, 1866, in what is now the church known as Reedy Chapel AME. Annual celebrations continued, beginning in southeastern Texas, with events such as historical reenactments, parades, picnics, music and speeches. While the holiday marked a joyous occasion for some, Juneteenth met early and persistent opposition, particularly in the time following Reconstruction. For years, local reporting spoke of Juneteenth, as the Galveston Historical Foundation put it, in a 'flagrantly racist nature.' Additionally, the racist stereotyping – 'idleness' – in the final sentence of Granger's order simultaneously illustrated its complicated nature while also '[foreshadowing] that the fight for freedom would continue,' National Archives staffer Michael Davis wrote in 2020. Historian Keisha Blain explains, 'The enslavement of Black people in the U.S. may have ended but the legacies of slavery still shape every aspect of Black life.' Advocates such as Opal Lee, commonly referred to as the 'grandmother of Juneteenth,' pressed for Juneteenth celebration to continue and, ultimately, for it to be made a national holiday. Lee began her advocacy in earnest during the mid-1970s in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. The oldest member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Lee spearheaded several campaigns to draw attention to Juneteenth. These campaigns included initiatives such as an online petition promoting the holiday's observance launched in 2019 that amassed 1.6 million signatures. In speaking on the significance of Juneteenth, Lee said, 'Freedom is for everyone. I think freedom should be celebrated from the 19th of June to the Fourth of July; however, none of us are free until we are all free. We are not free yet, and Juneteenth is a symbol of that.' Because of this advocacy, Juneteenth has grown from relatively obscure regional celebrations to, starting in 2021, a federal holiday. The establishment of the holiday was the capstone of initiatives during the racial reckoning. Historians refer to the racial reckoning as the time period beginning in the summer of 2020 until the spring of the following year that witnessed heightened attention to America's nagging history of racism. This reckoning included the historic protests prompted by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. During this time, numerous institutions, ranging from colleges and universities to major companies, made commitments to racial equity. The recognition of Juneteenth represented a symbolic means to honor those commitments. In remarks marking his signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Biden said, 'Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come.' But within a year, some had already begun to argue the nation had, as community organizer Braxton Brewington wrote, 'betrayed the spirit of Jubilee Day.' Many of the racial equity commitments made during the racial reckoning quickly vanished within a year or two. Economist William Michael Cunningham revealed American companies pledged $50 billion to racial equity efforts in 2020, yet had only spent $250 million by 2021. By the spring of 2025, companies such as Walmart and McDonald's announced they will discontinue their diversity, equity and inclusion work. Moreover, Walmart will stop using the term altogether. Amazon, Meta and dozens of other large corporations made similar announcements. And members of the Trump administration have mounted continual attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion policies and used the term as a politically expedient slur to deride Black people. This is also exacerbated by the Trump administration's challenges to birthright citizenship, a key right that gave citizenship to the formerly enslaved and later guaranteed important rights to the entire populace. This major shift has fueled arguments that the U.S. has regressed from efforts toward racial equity and thus undermined the meaning of Juneteenth. And such backtracking arguably makes some Juneteenth celebrations performative exercises rather than celebrations of true racial equity. As one critic asked, has the holiday devolved 'into an exploitative and profit-driven enterprise for companies that disregard the true significance of this day to the Black community?' All of this has led to increasing confusion over how to commemorate Juneteenth, if at all. Juneteenth is not the first federal holiday with a complicated history. Nevertheless, with other complex holidays, Americans had years to process their misgivings. In short, the nation is still deciding what it means to be free. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here:
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Juneteenth 2025: From Texas to Washington, check 10 best places to celebrate with amazing activities across US
Juneteenth celebrations in US Live Events Juneteenth 2025 events: 10 best places to celebrate in US (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when former US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into is a designated federal holiday in the US and across the country, many people have off from work and use this day to celebrate, reflect and educate themselves on the dark history of slavery in the modern Juneteenth festivities are vibrant and celebratory, and typically involve outdoor activities like cookouts and picnics. Large community events are also held on year, the White House hosted a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. This year, Juneteenth events across the country include things like film screenings, festivals, concerts and other community cultural communities across the United States are celebrating the federal Juneteenth holiday with parades, food and music. With major companies following the Trump administration's lead and rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, some Juneteenth events had to press on without big backers, reports NBC you are planning to travel to the United States or simply want to learn more about this holiday, here are the 10 best places to experience the spirit of Juneteenth 2025.: Texas was the last state where the abolition of slavery was enforced in 1865 and this makes the connection of Houston with Juneteenth special. This year, the city will host the traditional Emancipation Park Juneteenth Celebration , with free concerts, urban art and African-American cuisine.: Atlanta is recognized as an African-American cultural epicenter. Its Juneteenth celebration will include the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival , with more than 250 exhibitors, local artists and family activities, according to a report in Marca.: The nation's capital will be rich with culture and symbolism on Juneteenth 2025. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is set to host a range of special events, including film screenings, guided tours, and educational workshops.: Dallas celebrates Juneteenth with one of the largest parades in the country. In 2025 , events are expected to be held at Fair Park , with job fairs, artistic performances and spaces dedicated to young Windy City will host the Chicago Juneteenth Village Fest on this federal holiday, a festival that combines African-American history with Chicago's unique musical style. Jazz, R&B and gospel will be featured, the report suggests.: At the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival , Los Angeles blends vibrant street art with African-American culture. This dynamic event is a hub for activism, art, and Caribbean cuisine, offering a unique space for community Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival fills the city with lively parades, African-American book fairs, and free African drumming workshops—honoring heritage through rhythm, learning, and community spirit.: Brooklyn hosts the Juneteenth NYC Festival, drawing thousands to celebrate the richness of Afro-descendant cultures. Highlights include live concerts, educational talks, and a powerful civil rights Five Points Juneteenth Music Festival turns the city into a stage for hip-hop, funk, and jazz. This free celebration also opens up conversations around racial justice and social equity.: At Comanche Park, San Antonio's Juneteenth Festival honors African-American heritage with a Texas twist. Families gather for Tejano and gospel music, lively contests, games, and a joyful celebration of cultural pride.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Juneteenth, America's youngest federal holiday, is next week. Here's what to know
Juneteenth was the first federal holiday to be signed into legislation in the 21st century. That makes it the youngest of the 12 established holidays observed by the federal government. The holiday itself isn't new, having been around since the 1860s, but it received the national spotlight in 2020 amid nationwide protests after Minneapolis man George Floyd and Louisville, Kentucky, woman Breonna Taylor were killed during encounters with law enforcement. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed legislation that recognized June 19 as Juneteenth to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19 each year, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. A portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth," Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, achievement and the perseverance of African Americans throughout history. Its celebration includes parades, barbecues, music performances and various public and private events that honor African American culture and heritage. Yes, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S. on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth books: Wondering how to teach your kids (and yourself) about Juneteenth? These 28 books can help Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19. On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. The inaugural Juneteenth to commemorate the day enslaved people in Galveston were freed was held in 1866, and the holiday spread across the country as African Americans migrated away from the South. The 'Juneteenth' name references the date of the holiday, combining the words 'June' and 'nineteenth.' It is a lesser-known fact that the Emancipation Proclamation did not result in all enslaved African Americans being freed. Juneteenth is part of recognizing the conditions undergone by some Americans unknowingly liberated by law. The proclamation guaranteed freedom to enslaved people in secessionist states like Texas, but not Union states like Maryland, which did not secede during the Civil War. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, freed all enslaved people in the country. Juneteenth is also a day to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. Through its celebration, people can foster mutual respect and understanding among all races and ethnicity. Juneteenth is celebrated nationwide with parades, barbecues, competitions for "Miss Juneteenth," rodeos, races and block parties, according to a resource website. A reading of the Emancipation Proclamation is also commonplace. "Happy Juneteenth Day" is considered an appropriate greeting to mark the occasion, according to the website. The color red is also symbolic. It is featured on the red, white and blue Juneteenth flag and symbolizes that "from the middle passage to George Floyd, our blood has been spilled across America," according to Steve Williams, president of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. While Juneteenth is a federal holiday, only about half of the states recognize it as an official holiday. About 24 states and the District of Columbia legally recognized Juneteenth as a public holiday, according to a 2022 Pew Research study, but pointed out that a Connecticut law signed last year would recognize the holiday this year, and alluded to other states considering legislation to officially recognized the holiday. Florida, along with states like California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and more than two dozen others don't officially recognize the holiday and don't have the day on official calendars as a paid holiday. Florida was one of three states in the 1990s to commemorate Juneteenth as a day of observance, and some county commissions and city councils have independently declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices. Juneteenth and Emancipation Day are often used to describe the same June 19 holiday. But emancipation dates differ depending on the state. Florida celebrates its Emancipation Day on May 20, in reference to the date emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee in 1865. Retired Tallahassee educator Althemese Barnes believes Florida made a 'historical travesty' by officially listing June 19 as the day slaves were emancipated in Florida. The actual date of Emancipation in Florida is May 20. Last year, after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday, some Republicans also chimed in to support the Florida date. When legislators tried to make Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees, Barnes rounded up historians and some NAACP members to fight the measure. 'Juneteenth has a flashy sound. It has a buzz to it,' said Barnes, who also founded the John G. Riley House and Museum in Tallahassee. 'But you don't need to put inaccurate history in your Florida statutes.' This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: When is Juneteenth and why do we celebrate it?
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What is Juneteenth? The meaning behind the June 19 federal holiday
June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Now, across the country, many people have off from work and use Juneteenth to celebrate, reflect and educate themselves on the dark history of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865. That was when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that over 250,000 enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and declared slaves in Confederate states were free. Originally celebrated by newly freed Black communities in Texas with religious services, barbecues and symbolic traditions like discarding clothing worn during enslavement, the holiday has since grown beyond Texas and the South. Though festivities resurfaced in Black communities during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement as a way to honor their legacy, the holiday — sometimes referred to by other names such as 'Second Independence Day,' 'Freedom Day,' 'Emancipation Day' or 'Black Fourth of July' — gained national attention once again during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. The movement inspired Congress and Biden to create an official federal holiday to honor Juneteenth the following year. Modern Juneteenth festivities are vibrant and celebratory, and typically involve outdoor activities like cookouts and picnics. Large community events are also held: Last year, the White House hosted a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. This year, Juneteenth events across the country include things like film screenings, festivals, concerts and other community cultural events. In an opinion piece for the Arizona Republic, Greg Moore wrote, 'It's a good time to find a community of people and celebrate the racial progress we've made over the last few decades…And given all the separation Black Americans have faced through history, it would be fitting to celebrate in a community gathering — the bigger, the better.' Some people may prefer to use Juneteenth as a day of reflection, education and remembrance. That could include going to a museum, some of which are hosting special programs for the holiday on Black American history. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., is marking Juneteenth with free admission and educational activities for families. This year, many Juneteenth events have been scaled back or canceled because companies and local governments are cutting funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. You can honor Juneteenth even if you are not Black, Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University, told the Associated Press. Brown explained that the history of slavery in America is all of our history, and it's important to recognize 'the good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.' However, Moore wrote in the Arizona Republic that it's important not to let Juneteenth go the way of holidays like Cinco de Mayo, in which cultures are reduced to harmful stereotypes. He's afraid Black culture can be 'warped beyond recognition' during disrespectful celebrations. 'There shouldn't be any blackface or watermelon jokes,' he said. While red, green and black are colors associated with Juneteenth — those are the colors of the pan-African flag, which represents the African diaspora and the unity of Black people — the Juneteenth flag is red, white and blue. It was created in 1997 by community organizer and activist Ben 'Boston Ben' Haith in order to give the holiday a unifying symbol. 'For so long, our ancestors weren't considered citizens of this country,' Haith said in an interview with Capital B. 'But realistically, and technically, they were citizens. They just were deprived of being recognized as citizens. So I thought it was important that the colors portray red, white, and blue, which we see in the American flag.' The star in the center stands for two things: Texas, where Juneteenth began, and, according to Haith, the white burst around the star symbolizes a new star being born — representing a new beginning for Black Americans. The red arc below it represents a horizon, signifying progress and hope for the future. While Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, people employed in the private sector are not legally required to recognize or observe the holiday. In turn, privately owned shops, restaurants, grocery stores and other retail businesses will likely keep normal hours on the holiday unless they choose to honor the holiday in some way. Most major banks, as well as the stock market, are closed on Juneteenth. So is the post office and other federal offices. Public schools and libraries are typically closed as well.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What is Juneteenth? The meaning behind the June 19 federal holiday
June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Now, across the country, many people have off from work and use Juneteenth to celebrate, reflect and educate themselves on the dark history of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865. That was when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that over 250,000 enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and declared slaves in Confederate states were free. Originally celebrated by newly freed Black communities in Texas with religious services, barbecues and symbolic traditions like discarding clothing worn during enslavement, the holiday has since grown beyond Texas and the South. Though festivities resurfaced in Black communities during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement as a way to honor their legacy, the holiday — sometimes referred to by other names such as 'Second Independence Day,' 'Freedom Day,' 'Emancipation Day' or 'Black Fourth of July' — gained national attention once again during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. The movement inspired Congress and Biden to create an official federal holiday to honor Juneteenth the following year. Modern Juneteenth festivities are vibrant and celebratory, and typically involve outdoor activities like cookouts and picnics. Large community events are also held: Last year, the White House hosted a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. This year, Juneteenth events across the country include things like film screenings, festivals, concerts and other community cultural events. In an opinion piece for the Arizona Republic, Greg Moore wrote, 'It's a good time to find a community of people and celebrate the racial progress we've made over the last few decades…And given all the separation Black Americans have faced through history, it would be fitting to celebrate in a community gathering — the bigger, the better.' Some people may prefer to use Juneteenth as a day of reflection, education and remembrance. That could include going to a museum, some of which are hosting special programs for the holiday on Black American history. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., is marking Juneteenth with free admission and educational activities for families. This year, many Juneteenth events have been scaled back or canceled because companies and local governments are cutting funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. You can honor Juneteenth even if you are not Black, Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University, told the Associated Press. Brown explained that the history of slavery in America is all of our history, and it's important to recognize 'the good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.' However, Moore wrote in the Arizona Republic that it's important not to let Juneteenth go the way of holidays like Cinco de Mayo, in which cultures are reduced to harmful stereotypes. He's afraid Black culture can be 'warped beyond recognition' during disrespectful celebrations. 'There shouldn't be any blackface or watermelon jokes,' he said. While red, green and black are colors associated with Juneteenth — those are the colors of the pan-African flag, which represents the African diaspora and the unity of Black people — the Juneteenth flag is red, white and blue. It was created in 1997 by community organizer and activist Ben 'Boston Ben' Haith in order to give the holiday a unifying symbol. 'For so long, our ancestors weren't considered citizens of this country,' Haith said in an interview with Capital B. 'But realistically, and technically, they were citizens. They just were deprived of being recognized as citizens. So I thought it was important that the colors portray red, white, and blue, which we see in the American flag.' The star in the center stands for two things: Texas, where Juneteenth began, and, according to Haith, the white burst around the star symbolizes a new star being born — representing a new beginning for Black Americans. The red arc below it represents a horizon, signifying progress and hope for the future. While Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, people employed in the private sector are not legally required to recognize or observe the holiday. In turn, privately owned shops, restaurants, grocery stores and other retail businesses will likely keep normal hours on the holiday unless they choose to honor the holiday in some way. Most major banks, as well as the stock market, are closed on Juneteenth. So is the post office and other federal offices. Public schools and libraries are typically closed as well.
