Juneteenth: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States

The Newest Federal Holiday

Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is the newest federal holiday in the United States. It became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, where Union soldiers arrived on June 19, 1865, to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved people. However, slavery had officially ended two months earlier with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated with parades, festivals, barbecues, and other events. It is a day to reflect on the history of slavery and its impact on American society. Juneteenth is also a time to celebrate the resilience and achievements of African Americans.

Juneteenth as a National Holiday

The movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday gained momentum in recent years. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, protests against racial injustice sparked a renewed interest in Juneteenth. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law, making Juneteenth a permanent federal holiday.

Juneteenth Today

Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, but it is also a day of recognition in many states. Some states have designated Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees, while others observe it as a day of remembrance or a day of service. Juneteenth is a reminder of the dark history of slavery in the United States, but it is also a celebration of the resilience and achievements of African Americans.