Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Defiance
As the United States prepares to commemorate a pivotal moment in its history, many Americans are getting ready to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the country learned they were free. This significant event took place in Galveston, Texas, and has since become a powerful symbol of the end of slavery. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States, recognized by the US government as a day to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
The road to freedom was long and arduous. Although President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 declared all slaves in the Confederate territory to be free, it couldn’t be enforced in many Southern states until the Civil War ended in 1865. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when a Union major and his troops arrived in Galveston, that the news of freedom finally reached the last remaining enslaved people. This momentous occasion has become known as Juneteenth, a name that combines "June" and "nineteenth" to commemorate the day when freedom was finally realized.
According to Lindsey Swindall, a Teaching Assistant Professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology, "Juneteenth has become a sort of symbol of the end of slavery. Tradition holds that it was in the summer of 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, a lot of them were dock workers, heard about emancipation, and there was this big announcement that emancipation had come and that freedom was now available to enslaved people." Swindall’s insights highlight the significance of Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom and the end of slavery.
In the years following the Civil War, celebrating Juneteenth was an act of bravery and defiance for many Black Americans, particularly those living in the segregated South. The establishment of the White Supremacist Ku Klux Klan in 1868 and the widespread rejection of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Act made it dangerous for African Americans to openly discuss or celebrate their newfound freedom. As Swindall notes, "In the late 18 hundreds, celebrations of Juneteenth mainly took place in African American communities. This would’ve been the safest context in which to celebrate emancipation because as segregation became more entrenched, it’s becoming dangerous to really talk about these ideas."
Over time, Juneteenth has become known by various names, including Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Fourth of July, and Second Independence Day. In 2021, President Joe Biden designated Juneteenth a federal holiday, expanding its recognition beyond Black America and acknowledging its importance in the country’s history. This move has helped to raise awareness about the holiday and its significance, making it a celebration that is recognized and observed by people of all backgrounds.
As the world marks this significant milestone, it’s essential to remember the bravery and defiance of those who fought for freedom and equality. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, and its recognition as a federal holiday is a testament to the progress made towards a more inclusive and equitable society. As we celebrate Juneteenth, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of freedom and justice for all.
