Juneteenth 2025: Significance, history, celebration and other details
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Juneteenth—short for 'June Nineteenth'—commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years earlier, slavery remained largely untouched in parts of Texas. That changed when the U.S. General Gordon Granger declared: 'The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.'
History of the day
In 1979, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, paving the way for other states to follow in the years that followed.
Decades later, in June 2021, Congress passed a resolution to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, and President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17 of that year.
In 2025, it will be observed on Thursday, June 19. As its national recognition grows, conversations around how different institutions mark the day continue. Many workplaces are offering time off, while individuals and communities are organizing a wide range of events to honor the occasion.
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From family reunions to parades
Juneteenth celebrations are rich in culture, tradition, and community. Historically, outdoor gatherings such as cookouts and picnics brought together families separated by slavery. These events were a form of defiance against the 'Black Codes' that restricted basic rights for freed slaves in Confederate states.
Modern celebrations often include festivals, parades, art exhibits, concerts, and educational panels.
The National Park Service has announced free admission to all federal sites on Juneteenth. In previous years, the White House hosted concerts to mark the occasion. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris danced onstage with gospel star Kirk Franklin during a South Lawn celebration.
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What to wear, eat, and fly
Symbols play a strong role in Juneteenth. The Pan-African flag—red for sacrifice, black for people, green for Africa—often appears at celebrations. But many now fly the red, white, and blue Juneteenth flag, created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. It features a five-pointed star for Texas and a surrounding burst representing freedom spreading across the U.S.
Food is another cultural touchstone. Menus might include red drinks like fruit punch or Kool-Aid, barbecued meats, watermelon, and red velvet cake—foods that symbolize the bloodshed and endurance of enslaved ancestors.
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