Juneteenth is a special celebration on June 19th that commemorates the end of the United States’ historic practice of slavery. In this sense, Juneteenth is a day for honoring the “freedom” of all people living in the United States. Whether you grew up celebrating Juneteenth or have never heard of it, here’s what you need to know about Juneteenth’s meaning, how the holiday came to be and why it matters to so many people.
So, July 4th was founded on an idea of freedom created by a group of men who either believed they rightfully owned Black people, or were not willing to stand up to the atrocities of slavery in the United States. And as former First Lady Michelle Obama reminded us in her powerful 2016 DNC speech, it was the enslaved who built the White House—a residence that not only represents the presidency, but American democracy and freedom. Not recognizing Juneteenth erases this history and the racism that went into founding our nation.
In 2020, in light of the national resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, the holiday took on an even bigger meaning. Americans—many for the first time—were seeking to honor Black lives in order acknowledge the historical struggles of the community. From the original Juneteenth to the present day, Black people have endured a continuous fight for equality and a different kind of freedom.
In 1872, a group of formerly enslaved people put together $800 and purchased 10 acres of land in Houston, Texas, for the city’s annual Juneteenth celebrations. They named the space Emancipation Park, and it plays host to Juneteenth celebrations even now. The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), founded in 1994, recognizes the same colors found in the U.S. flag: red, white, and blue, showing that the formerly enslaved were and are Americans. They also created an official flag for the holiday which features red and blue stripe sections separated by an arc that signifies new horizons and opportunity. In the middle is a large white star that both represents Texas as the Lone Star state and symbolizes the freedom of all African Americans in the 50 states.
And for anyone who isn’t Black but would like to recognize Juneteenth, every year, June 19th is a great day to honor and embrace Black culture through its art and history. You might want to take the opportunity to learn about major firsts from African Americans, read a book by a Black author, catch a film that honors Black life, or support Black-owned companies. But most importantly, what Juneteenth symbolizes is a true day of freedom. That’s something worth celebrating, and continuing to fight for — not just among Black folks, but among everyone.