Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Opportunity
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Jubilee Day, is a celebration of freedom and opportunity that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved population of their freedom—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Whether through quiet reflection or joyful celebration, Juneteenth offers an opportunity for all Americans to honor a pivotal moment in the country’s history and to continue the work toward justice and equity.
The Origins of Juneteenth
Juneteenth began in 1866 with hymns, prayers, and barbecue—joyful defiance in the face of centuries of bondage. By 1872, Black Texans had established Houston’s Emancipation Park, turning the day into an annual celebration. The first Juneteenth celebration in 1866 sparked a tradition of gathering, sharing food, prayer, and celebrating freedom among Black families and communities in Texas.
Commemorating Juneteenth Today
The league is currently promoting its Juneteenth Freedom Run and Walk, which commemorates the two and a half years it took for news of freedom to reach all enslaved people in the United States. Juneteenth invites both celebration and reflection, honoring the strength of Black communities, acknowledging the painful legacy of slavery, and renewing the commitment to justice and equity.
Celebrating Freedom Amid Oppression
The initial Juneteenth celebrations were spontaneous and jubilant, with freed people gathering to sing spirituals, read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud, and reflect on the meaning of freedom. This holiday celebrates family, activism, resilience, and the true meaning of freedom itself.
Many Americans are observing Juneteenth to mark the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free. Juneteenth is a day of contemplation, joy, and celebration for all who recognize its significance in American history.
