Juneteenth
Happy JUNETEENTH!
What is Juneteenth? It is a celebration of the day enslaved Texans learned they were free. We all learned about the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, which announced that enslaved people in the United States were free. But it actually took two years, until June 19, 1865, for this news to arrive in Galveston, Texas, where the Union Army issued an order proclaiming freedom for enslaved people there. Also, the Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to Union states, so it actually did not end slavery in the United States. The 13th Amendment, passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, officially abolished slavery.
The word "Juneteenth" comes from a blending of the date, June and 19th. Traditional celebrations have included barbecues and red foods and drinks, such as strawberry soda. This holiday is important to many people, and for whom it is considered the second or real Independence Day. For a family-friendly explanation of why this holiday is so important to recognize, watch this BrainPOP video.
Today, Juneteenth is getting more well-known around the country; 47 states celebrate it as a holiday. Starting in 2022, it will be a holiday for state workers in Washington. Companies such as the NFL, Google, and Nike are closing their offices to honor the day. However it still is not a national holiday. There is a push to make it so, since the history of slavery and freedom for Black people is part of U.S. history.
Sign this petition to help make Juneteenth a national holiday.
- "Juneteenth for Mazie" by Floyd Cooper
- "All Different Now" by Angela Johnson
