What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is a special day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to share the news that all enslaved people were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This moment marked freedom for over 250,000 Black Americans in Texas and became a powerful symbol of hope, justice, and new beginnings.
The first Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866.
Families have celebrated Juneteenth for generations with parades, cookouts, music, prayer, and storytelling. It was especially popular in Black communities throughout Texas and across the South. These celebrations honored ancestors and passed on the message of freedom.
This event served not only as festive gatherings but as acts of remembrance and resistance.
In 1980, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth an official state holiday. Gradually, other states followed suit.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday—the first new national holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Now, schools, libraries, museums, and families across the country use this day to learn, reflect, and celebrate together.
Celebrating as a Family
Juneteenth is a perfect time for families of all backgrounds to come together. Here are some ideas:
- Read a book about Juneteenth or African American heroes
"On Juneteenth" by Annette Gordon-Reed
“Opala Lee and What it Means to be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth”
By Alice Faye Duncan
- Make a family meal with traditional Southern dishes
“Red Punch” strawberry lemonade”
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
“The Juneteenth Cook Book” by Allia L Agostini, Chef taffy Elrod
- Join a local event like a festival, concert, or storytelling circle
Juneteenth Celebration ( Elizabeth)
Sunday June 22, 2025 12 pm -5 pm
In front of City Hall
Juneteenth Celebration (Union)
Sunday June 22, 2025 12pm-6pm
Biertuempful Park
- Talk with kids about the importance of fairness, freedom, and respect
Juneteenth is not just about the past—it’s about building a better future, together.
Resource:
National Museum of African American History and Culture – nmaahc.si.edu
Library of Congress – loc.gov
National Archives – archives.gov
Juneteenth.com – juneteenth.com
U.S. Senate Historical Office – senate.gov
