A Celebration of Freedom and Reflection
Honoring Juneteenth
by Jamie Schoenbauer
Every year, Americans celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery and the continuing journey toward equality and justice. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, amid the Civil War. This document declared all enslaved people in the Confederate states free. Lincoln knew that he didn't have the authority to abolish slavery in America – that would require a constitutional amendment. Instead, he took this opportunity to use the power he did have to disrupt the economy of the Confederate states by depriving them of their source of labor. In addition to freeing the enslaved people, the Proclamation authorized the enlistment of formerly enslaved people into the Union Army and Navy, increasing the manpower needed to win the war.
Juneteenth is short for June Nineteenth, specifically June 19, 1865. It was on this date that Union troops led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with General Order No. 3, which informed all Texans that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves were free. Texas was the last state to officially hear and implement the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation, making this date significant to American history.
The first official Juneteenth celebrations took place the following year in Texas. These first observances included prayer meetings and the singing of spirituals. Within a few years, Juneteenth celebrations spread to other states. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the bill that declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. This was a significant step in acknowledging the importance of this day to the American story.
Juneteenth events have grown in size and popularity. They include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, family gatherings, dances, and even rodeos. It has become tradition to consume red foods and drinks to connect to the cultures of West and Central Africa. The color red symbolizes the bloodshed of enslavement and is a way to honor the strength and sacrifice of ancestors.
Juneteenth gives all Americans a chance to reflect on our nation's complex history and the work that remains. It is an opportunity to honor those who endured unimaginable suffering and recognize their legacy while recommitting ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom for all.
Juneteenth Teacher Resources
https://sharemylesson.com/topic/juneteenth[
https://tpt.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=juneteenth
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/moments/juneteenth/digital-toolkit
https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-juneteenth/
Are you visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture on your tour in DC? They will celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of programs and exhibits throughout the month of June. They will hold Juneteenth Community Day on June 21, 2025, with educational and cultural programs centered around the holiday.
