Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. This significant day of historical and cultural importance marks the end of slavery in the United States.
It was on June 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced General Order No. 3, which ordered that all remaining U.S. slaves be freed. The 250,000 slaves were among the last in the United States, residing in states that were not part of the Confederacy. The announcement came nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
The newly freed slaves rejoiced and celebrated with prayer, song, dance, storytelling, and feasting. According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, some of the foods enjoyed were red. As a symbol of resilience and joy, the color red is also associated with cultures involved in the Transatlantic slave trade. The celebrations became an annual tradition, and Texas later adopted Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth holds immense significance as a celebration of freedom, achievement, and resilience. It serves as a reminder of the struggles endured by African Americans throughout history and highlights the ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice.
Our Online Library is always available at sccld.org/Online-Library/. Explore Juneteenth and the Black diaspora with History and Biography online resources. Dive into U.S. History (Gale in Context) for primary sources, reference documents, and other historical data. Read all about significant historical figures with Biography (Gale in Context).
Find recommended reads for Juneteenth:
All SCCLD libraries will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the holiday.
