Juneteenth in America: History, significance, events and celebrations; Here’s all you need to know

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation in the US in the month of June. While Juneteenth was only officially recognised as a holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden, it gained national popularity in 2020 with the protests against African American killed in encounters with police including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the end of slavery in the country. It is also the longest-running African-American holiday. Juneteenth is observed on June 19.

Juneteenth: History

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all “persons held as slaves” as “free”. It is to note that Texas was the last state to announce the end to slavery on June 19, 1865. The word ‘Juneteenth’ comes after combining ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’ and the holiday is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

How to celebrate Juneteenth?

The first known celebrations of Juneteenth reportedly began in 1866 and eventually it spanned to other territories as African Americans migrated to new regions. Typically, the day is celebrated with educational activities for the public including children which involve the readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Among other ways to celebrate the day is to support Black-owned businesses and organizations. But it is important to educate others about the history of the day and organizing parades, beauty pageants among several other activities.

‘Events and celebrations’

People across the United States are celebrating the Juneteenth holiday by organizing festivals and musical performances and supporting Black-owned businesses including restaurant chains. People are also raising awareness for civil rights, reading books about African American history.

In Brooklyn, New York, people reportedly lined up all afternoon for Shelly Flash’s specialties who own a Jamaican taco business. In the rest of America, people marked the holiday weekend with cookouts, parades, and several other gatherings in a bid to commemorate the end of slavery after the Civil War.

As per reports, on Juneteenth weekend, a Roman Catholic church in Detroit dedicated its service to urge the parishioners to learn more about the lessons from the holiday. While other US states are celebrating Juneteenth relatively for the first time in thai scale, Memphis has been celebrating the holiday long before it became a designated federal holiday in 2021.

In Memphis, where slave trade used to thrive, Juneteenth festivities include a multi-day festival of music, food, arts and crafts, cultural exhibitions in city’s medical district. Notably, Memphis is also the home to the National Civil Rights Museum.

FAQs:

What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the end of slavery in the country. It is also the longest-running African-American holiday. Juneteenth is observed on June 19.

When did Juneteenth celebrations first begin in the US?
The first known celebrations of Juneteenth reportedly began in 1866 and eventually it spanned to other territories as African Americans migrated to new regions.