A History of Juneteenth Celebrations

June 19, 2025

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number 3, informing enslaved people about their freedom. Initially used for political rallies and voter education, Juneteenth evolved into widespread celebrations featuring thanksgiving ceremonies, entertainment, family reunions, and community gatherings across Texas, with African Americans purchasing land specifically for these events. The holiday gained official recognition when Texas made it a state holiday in 1979, and after decades of advocacy, particularly by Opal Lee, President Joseph Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, nearly 156 years after the original proclamation.

Who is affected

African Americans, particularly the descendants of the approximately 250,000 slaves in Texas who received news of their freedom
Residents of Texas, especially in communities with historical Juneteenth celebrations like Limestone County, Houston, Austin, Brenham, and Beeville
Communities across the nation, including Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, where the celebration spread
All Americans, now that Juneteenth is a federal holiday

What action is being taken

Communities across Texas and beyond continue to hold annual Juneteenth celebrations featuring thanksgiving ceremonies, entertainment, picnics, family reunions, dramatic readings, pageants, parades, and ball games
The city of Galveston hosts commemorative events including the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, an Emancipation March, and a festival
Communities are preserving and sharing family histories from both slavery and post-emancipation periods as part of Juneteenth observances
Some celebrations are incorporating calls for police reforms, particularly following George Floyd's death in 2020

Why it matters

Juneteenth represents a milestone in human rights for African Americans, marking the effective end of slavery in the United States
The holiday preserves the historical memory of emancipation and provides opportunities for education about African American history
Juneteenth celebrations foster community cohesion, with some events bringing together "thousands" of people and including racially mixed crowds in places like Brenham and Beeville
The elevation to a federal holiday in 2021 provides national recognition of this significant historical event nearly 156 years after it occurred
The holiday supports cultural expression through music, art, and community traditions

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint