The Story Behind Juneteenth
Table of Contents
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, and went into effect on January 1, 1863. He declared “that all persons held as slaves” within a state that was in rebellion “shall then be thenceforward, are forever free.”
Although the Emancipation Proclamation did indeed free some people, the executive order only applied to enslaved African Americans who lived in the Confederate states. However, it wasn’t until two and a half years later that the remaining slaves were informed of their freedom. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger, along with his troops, went to Galveston, Texas and issued an order that freed the last of the enslaved people in the South.
A Cause For Celebration
The newly liberated people in Texas celebrated after receiving the news of their freedom. One year later, on June 19th, they orchestrated an annual celebration of “Jubilee Day.” The earlier Juneteenth commemorations included prayer services and singing spirituals. African Americans in other parts of the country also joined in the celebration a few years later and made it a part of their tradition. Juneteenth observations have progressed across the United States into the current era. Presently, ceremonies consist of lectures, educational events, prayer and religious services, parades, family outings, and festivals featuring music, dancing, and food.
Recognizing Juneteenth
The recognition of Juneteenth differs in each state. The U.S. government doesn’t recognize it as a federal holiday. Nearly all of the states recognize it as either a state holiday or ceremonial observance. Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980, and eventually, many of the other states followed suit. The day is observed by 47 states and the District of Columbia (DC). However, Hawaii, North Dakota, and the South have yet to recognize the day. Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York give their state employees a paid day off.
When Is Independence Day?
Many people, including myself, were not aware of Juneteenth until recent years. This is because this critical moment in history was never taught in school. Even during Black History Month, this holiday was never mentioned once in the curriculum. It wasn’t until about two or three years ago that I discovered the day that symbolized my freedom as an African American. Of course, we learned that Independence Day, July 4, 1776, is the day when the United States became free from the rule of Great Britain. However, African Americans were still enslaved. 
“No one is free until we are all free”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
June 19th is Independence Day not only for the Black Community but for the entire nation.
Although free from bondage, African Americans still endured oppression, discrimination, and systematic racism. We had the Jim Crow Laws, which legalized segregation in the Southern states. There were also terrorist attacks on affluent Black communities, such as the Tulsa Greenwood Massacre. Even when African Americans won the right to vote, they were suppressed and intimidated from exercising that privilege.
The Importance Of Juneteenth
Juneteenth has now gained more popularity due to the present climate of race relations in this nation. In the past few weeks, we have witnessed protests against police brutality, injustice, discrimination, racism, and white supremacy, all triggered by the senseless murders of Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd. These recent tragic events that transpired over the past few months have shown us that while chattel slavery ended in 1865, its racist legacy still lingers on to this day.
While we are starting to see some progress, we still have a long way to go. The Black Community still encounters racism, bigotry, inadequate health care, huge wage gaps, and mass incarceration. African Americans are also subjected to violence from the police. However, many people are protesting and showing support to the struggle in pursuit of making a change for the better.
So why celebrate Juneteenth if we are a far cry from true liberation? The answer is simple; we commemorate Juneteenth to honor the brave and resilient spirits of those that came before us. It is through their sacrifices and strength that we can lead a life beyond their wildest expectations. Our ancestors broke down doors that were closed to them so that we could walk right through them. In celebrating Juneteenth, we pay tribute to our heritage, our culture, our contributions, and, most of all, ourselves.
Thank you for reading,
Yours Truly,
Tracy
