Juneteenth: Commemorating & Reflecting on the Journey to Freedom
The Juneteenth holiday has a significant meaning to me. It provided a timestamp on when slavery officially ended for a culture of the African American people that were not there before. It provided an ending to the atrocity of what occurred. When it was made a national holiday, it said we will never forget. Just as other holidays show, this is a remembrance of wars, national victories, and history and how we remember them. To me, it proclaimed this was a dark period for the country. We acknowledge this, and we must never go back, and by making it a Holiday, we never will.
Historical Context
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19 in the United States, holds great significance. This day commemorates the arrival of Union General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, when he proclaimed the freedom of all enslaved African Americans in the state. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued in 1863, its enforcement was slow in the Confederate states, and news of freedom reached some areas months or even years later. Juneteenth now serves as a national marker for the end of slavery and highlights this event's historical and cultural importance.
To understand the significance of Juneteenth, we must explore the context of the American Civil War (1861-1865). The conflict arose from various factors, including disagreements over states' rights, economic differences between the North and South, and, most significantly, the institution of slavery.
The Civil War concluded on April 9, 1865, with General Lee's surrender to General Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians. Its aftermath brought about the abolition of slavery in the United States through the passage of the 13th Amendment. Reconstruction efforts were also initiated to reunite the nation and secure civil rights for newly freed African Americans.
A Celebration of Emancipation
June 19, 1865, marked a significant milestone in the post-Civil War era. More than two months after the Confederate surrender and over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, General Granger arrived in Galveston and read federal orders declaring the freedom of all previously enslaved individuals in Texas. This proclamation reached areas where news of emancipation had been slow to arrive, solidifying Juneteenth as a momentous day.
With freedom finally realized for the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas, "it was from that moment that Juneteenth would be born," cites the Galveston Historical Foundation, noting its subsequent history of speeches, songs, picnics, parades, and art exhibits in celebrations around the country. And yet, as the Equal Justice Initiative powerfully reminds us, "Juneteenth does not denote a struggle completed or a finish line reached. Black Americans faced many threats to their liberty and lives in the years after the Civil War, and in retrospect continued injustice still."
Although celebrations of Juneteenth began in the late 1800s, the holiday gained broader recognition in recent years. Its commemoration involves various events such as parades, cookouts, and educational programs that emphasize the historical and cultural significance of the day. The long-overdue official recognition as a federal holiday came on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
"It's important to understand Juneteenth in that larger context," said Felicia Smith, Racial Justice & Social Equity Librarian at Stanford. "It's why in my role, I always try to explain the history but also point out how this all has ramifications today. From Juneteenth to Emmett Till to Tamir Rice to George Floyd, that feeling of not being safe, not truly being free, and not being intentionally told something important about the past is always swirling around for Black people."
Importance & Reflection
The Civil War was pivotal in American history, costing countless lives and revealing deep-rooted political, economic, and social divisions. Slavery tore the nation apart as the central cause of the conflict. Juneteenth stands as a reminder of the progress made—and the ongoing work needed to confront the painful legacy of slavery and systemic racism. Juneteenth prompts us to acknowledge the complexities of our history, confront the consequences of slavery, and work towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
Juneteenth holds immense importance as a day to reflect on the impact of the Civil War and the end of slavery. While Independence Day on July 4 celebrates America's freedom from British rule, it's crucial to acknowledge that the nation's journey to freedom was incomplete without addressing the issue of slavery.
By recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, the United States acknowledges the contributions and resilience of African Americans throughout history. It fosters education and understanding, encouraging individuals to delve into the complex events that shaped the nation and confront the enduring effects of slavery. In celebrating this important day, we commemorate the resilience and contributions of African Americans while striving to create a more just future for all!