On June 15, 2021 the United States Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday.
Juneteenth, is the oldest known holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in America.
It represents June 19, 1865, which is the day Major General Gordon Granger, formally announced to the slaves in Texas, that the civil war had ended, and according to the 13th Amendment of the constitution, they were now freed.
Texas was the westernmost Confederate state and the last to surrender in the Civil War. So, even though slavery ended in 1863, after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It still took another 2 years for the slaves in the state to officially gain their freedom
Observation of Juneteenth started in Texas back in 1866. Originally, it was known as “Jubilee Day.” But, now it is sometimes referred to as America’s second Independence Day, Emancipation Day, and Freedom Day.
The first celebratory events were local and small. They were mainly only attended by African Americans. And, they were often held in churches and private homes. However, in 1980 Juneteenth was recognized as a state holiday in Texas. After which, the events started becoming larger and spreading to cities all across the country.
The Juneteenth Flag
The official flag, is called the Flag of Freedom. It was created in 1997 by Ben Haith, founder of The National Juneteenth Celebration. The flag is blue on the top half and red on the bottom half. It also features a white bursting star on the horizon in the middle. In the year 2000, the flag was revised and raised at a special ceremony in Boston.
Traditions ways to celebrate
Celebrations of the holiday include parades, marches, picnics, parties, family gatherings and more.
Find Juneteenth Events in Your City
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