June 19 is Juneteenth. This is the newest federal holiday in the United States. Juneteenth was officially designated a national holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, which lasted for 246 years from 1619 to 1865.

The History of Juneteenth

Many Americans are unfamiliar with the historical significance of Juneteenth against the complicated backdrop of the American Civil War. At the center of the Civil War was the issue of slavery. A common misconception is that slavery ended when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. However, with twenty states already in the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to the ten Southern states that seceded from the Union. Although the proclamation declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate territory, many states were reluctant to comply, and so slavery continued in those areas. The enforcement of this legislation greatly depended on whether the Union or the Confederacy would win the Civil War.

The Civil War officially ended on April 9, 1865. The Union was declared the victor, and the end of slavery was inevitable. This meant that federal troops were finally able to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation throughout the South. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, issuing General Order No. 3. This order announced that all enslaved people were free and were to be treated as hired laborers. Because this historic announcement occurred on June 19, this day is known as Juneteenth.

Celebrating Juneteenth in Alabama

There are many meaningful ways to observe Juneteenth, including the following:

• Look for local Juneteenth events in your community.
• Visit the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, or Mardi Gras Park in Mobile for Mamga Fest.
• Participate virtually in Opal’s Walk for Freedom. Civil rights activist Opal Lee played a key role in the movement to make Juneteenth a federal holiday and is widely known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”
• Host a family gathering, such as a picnic or cookout, and discuss the importance of freedom and equality.
• Learn more about this historical day and its impact on America.

Remember, June 19 is officially Juneteenth, and it is a celebration of hope and freedom!