What is Juneteenth? The meaning behind the June 19 federal holiday

June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Now, across the country, many people have off from work and use Juneteenth to celebrate, reflect and educate themselves on the dark history of slavery in the U.S.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865. That was when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that over 250,000 enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and declared slaves in Confederate states were free. Originally celebrated by newly freed Black communities in Texas with religious services, barbecues and symbolic traditions like discarding clothing worn during enslavement, the holiday has since grown beyond Texas and the South.
Though festivities resurfaced in Black communities during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement as a way to honor their legacy, the holiday — sometimes referred to by other names such as 'Second Independence Day,' 'Freedom Day,' 'Emancipation Day' or 'Black Fourth of July' — gained national attention once again during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. The movement inspired Congress and Biden to create an official federal holiday to honor Juneteenth the following year.
Modern Juneteenth festivities are vibrant and celebratory, and typically involve outdoor activities like cookouts and picnics. Large community events are also held: Last year, the White House hosted a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. This year, Juneteenth events across the country include things like film screenings, festivals, concerts and other community cultural events.
In an opinion piece for the Arizona Republic, Greg Moore wrote, 'It's a good time to find a community of people and celebrate the racial progress we've made over the last few decades…And given all the separation Black Americans have faced through history, it would be fitting to celebrate in a community gathering — the bigger, the better.'
Some people may prefer to use Juneteenth as a day of reflection, education and remembrance. That could include going to a museum, some of which are hosting special programs for the holiday on Black American history. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., is marking Juneteenth with free admission and educational activities for families.
This year, many Juneteenth events have been scaled back or canceled because companies and local governments are cutting funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
You can honor Juneteenth even if you are not Black, Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University, told the Associated Press. Brown explained that the history of slavery in America is all of our history, and it's important to recognize 'the good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.'
However, Moore wrote in the Arizona Republic that it's important not to let Juneteenth go the way of holidays like Cinco de Mayo, in which cultures are reduced to harmful stereotypes. He's afraid Black culture can be 'warped beyond recognition' during disrespectful celebrations. 'There shouldn't be any blackface or watermelon jokes,' he said.
While red, green and black are colors associated with Juneteenth — those are the colors of the pan-African flag, which represents the African diaspora and the unity of Black people — the Juneteenth flag is red, white and blue. It was created in 1997 by community organizer and activist Ben 'Boston Ben' Haith in order to give the holiday a unifying symbol.
'For so long, our ancestors weren't considered citizens of this country,' Haith said in an interview with Capital B. 'But realistically, and technically, they were citizens. They just were deprived of being recognized as citizens. So I thought it was important that the colors portray red, white, and blue, which we see in the American flag.'
The star in the center stands for two things: Texas, where Juneteenth began, and, according to Haith, the white burst around the star symbolizes a new star being born — representing a new beginning for Black Americans. The red arc below it represents a horizon, signifying progress and hope for the future.
While Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, people employed in the private sector are not legally required to recognize or observe the holiday. In turn, privately owned shops, restaurants, grocery stores and other retail businesses will likely keep normal hours on the holiday unless they choose to honor the holiday in some way.
Most major banks, as well as the stock market, are closed on Juneteenth. So is the post office and other federal offices. Public schools and libraries are typically closed as well.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Associated Press

10 hours ago

• Associated Press

Ocean Ingleside Lions Club to Celebrate 40th Anniversary With Juneteenth Tribute and BBQ Event

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - June 20, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - The Ocean Ingleside Lions Club, the first African American Lions Club chartered in District 4C-4, proudly announces its 40th Anniversary Celebration, taking place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM at Mission Playground Clubhouse located at 19 Linda Street in the city of San Francisco. The BBQ event will be held in conjunction with the Juneteenth holiday to honor the club's legacy and its founding members, to install the incoming 2025-26 officers and to induct new members. Founded on June 7, 1985, the Ocean Ingleside Lions Club has served the Ingleside and greater San Francisco community for four decades. This year's celebration will also pay tribute to beloved past President Lion Connie Bridgewater, who passed away in August 2024. In her memory, the club is continuing its mission under the leadership of Incoming President Charlene Henderson, Connie Bridgewater's sister and the club's Interim Vice President. 'This milestone is not just about our history - it's about our future,' said Henderson. 'We are honoring our past while recommitting to our mission of service. We invite all fellow Lions and community members to join us for a soul food backyard BBQ and a heartfelt celebration of our club's impact.' Tickets are $45 a person and include food, music, a tribute, and community fellowship. Attendees are encouraged to bring a friend and meet the club's incoming officers. How to Support: Funds raised will go toward supporting the club's ongoing service projects and preserving the legacy of Lion Connie Bridgewater. For more information or to make a contribution, please contact Lion Charlene Henderson below. Contact: Lion Charlene Henderson Incoming 2025-26 President Ocean Ingleside Lions Club [email protected] View the original release on

Business Insider

10 hours ago

• Business Insider

I moved 22 hours away to start a new job. A couple I met by chance took me in, and now they're like family to me.

When thinking about family, whether they are distant relatives or close loved ones, we rarely would consider outsiders, let alone strangers. But that hasn't been my experience. While it may sound like a lot of work, making new genuine connections can be easy; sometimes it's as simple as finding a common interest with a person. As random as it might sound, that's exactly how I was able to meet a lovely couple at a cable store in Nebraska. For someone who had just moved 1,500 miles away from my hometown of Virginia to work as a journalist for the local news station, the last thing I ever expected I'd do is talk to strangers. But in retrospect, everyone was a stranger, including my new coworkers. Leaving my family was harder than I expected After a 22-hour drive from Virginia Beach to Kearney, my parents and I had finally made it to our destination, and all that I could think about the entire way, as we reached each city limit sign was "What have I done?" My parents were about to drop me off in the middle of nowhere. "Why aren't they stopping me?" I thought as we got closer. It was bittersweet — celebrating a huge accomplishment, stepping into my career, all while getting emotional at each restaurant during the road trip. It wasn't until then that I realized the importance of spending time with family. The smallest things made me cry: watching my dad go up to the breakfast buffet at Shoney's for seconds and thirds, and seeing my mom ask for French vanilla coffee creamer. I contemplated telling them just to take me back home, but I had to commit to my decision. We worked together to get me settled in my new town Picking up my keys from the apartment leasing office seemed to be the only thing that could cheer me up — sure, I was sad, but who wouldn't feel accomplished moving out of their parents' house? They were set to fly back home that following Monday, so helping me get settled was our main goal for the next few days. Everywhere we went, it felt as though we stood out as a Black family in Kearney. But like most talkative dads, mine didn't care, and he'd have small talk about sports with random people to get a feel of the environment. Setting up my cable service was a priority. Little did I know, it would be a turning point for me. As we were choosing cable plans, my dad started chatting with a white couple who were also setting up their services. They began telling us the ins and outs of living there — helpful information that I needed to know. A few people shared insights with me on the area, but to hear it from actual residents made a huge difference. As a Black woman in her early 20s moving to a strange place, the couple made me feel welcome. They were aware that I relocated for work and shared that their daughter had also just moved for college, so we had something in common. Assuming that the connection was just a one-off situation where I'd never hear from them again, they proved me wrong. My mom and the man's wife became Facebook friends, which made me even more comfortable with the idea of reaching out. After all, the connection was completely normal, just two mothers posting about how much they love their kids. Eventually, our relationship blossomed After months of living in Kearney, finally accepting that I needed a wholesome bond to make me feel at home, I decided to take the couple up on an offer to go to church together. And there I was on a Sunday morning with people I met at a cable store. Was I nervous? Of course. But about 20 minutes into the service, it hit me that there are genuinely good people in the world. So when they invited me out for brunch afterwards, there was no hesitation in my mind — I even rode with them to the restaurant. On the ride, they shared more details about the area, helping me to become more acquainted with my environment. They made me feel comfortable, and at home, something I needed at the time. Since moving back to Virginia, our relationship has been limited to Facebook updates, but at least I know that I will always have family in Nebraska.

Chicago Tribune

13 hours ago

• Chicago Tribune

Oak Park and River Forest High School hires former Homewood-Flossmoor, Naperville administrator

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 has hired an administrator experienced in curriculum to be its new assistant superintendent for student learning to replace Laurie Fiorenza who resigned, effective June 30, without explanation in April. Fiorenza's replacement will be Jen Hester, who has worked for the last five years as the director of student curriculum, instruction and professional development at Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233, a one-school district like OPRF. Prior to working at Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester worked as the top academic or curriculum administrator at Naperville Community Unit School District 203, which includes Naperville Central and Naperville North high schools, and St. Charles Community Unit District 303 which includes St. Charles East and St. Charles North high schools. She served for eight years as the chief academic officer at Naperville District 203 before that position was eliminated in a cost cutting move. She was going to be reassigned to be a reading specialist at a middle school in the district but instead worked for a year as consultant before being hired at Homewood-Flossmoor. 'I'm thrilled to have Dr. Hester join the district,' OPRF District 200 Superintendent Greg Johnson said in a news release. 'She really stood out among the other candidates for her array of experience in large, diverse districts, expertise in curricular knowledge, passion for classroom instruction and understanding of data and school metrics. She'll be a tremendous asset as we work to ensure all students can achieve their full potential, both here at OPRF and once they graduate.' Hester was chosen from a field of 90 candidates and underwent three rounds of interviews. The first rounds of interviews included teachers and students as well as administrators. Hester grew up in York, Pennsylvania, where her mother, grandmother and an aunt were all teachers. After graduating from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania she began her career teaching sixth grade in Hanover, Pennsylvania. After teaching sixth grade for three years she came to Chicago to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a master's degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Much of her graduate work focused on reading and literacy Hester worked for the Chicago Public Schools for three years starting as a literacy specialist and rising to become the manager of high school literacy at CPS before going to St. Charles as a literacy coordinator before rising to curriculum director. Hester, whose husband John Schalk grew up in River Forest and graduated from OPRF in 1989, said the OPRF job appealed to her because of shared values. 'I feel like my core beliefs and values really align with Oak Park and River Forest's vision and mission,' Hester said, adding she is especially committed to work to improve the academic achievement of Black and Hispanic students. 'I come from a long line of educators and I've had lots of help myself along the way from those educators and I definitely believe that all kids can and will succeed at high levels.' At Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester led a detracking program somewhat similar to what has been implemented at OPRF in the Honors for All freshman program. At Homewood-Flossmoor, Hester said, lower level classes were eliminated in an attempt to give all students exposure to rigorous core classes. 'We did some work there with detracking and ensuring that all kids were in the rigorous, grade level core curriculum,' Hester said. 'I'm also very proud of being part of and leading, with my team, a lot of our equity learning and work,' Hester said. While Homewood-Flossmoor High School and OPRF are similar in size, OPRF is a little bigger, and both have diverse student populations their demographics differ. According to the most recent school report card 73.6% of H-F students are Black, 12.3% are white and 9.7% are Hispanic. At OPRF, 51.8% of students are white, 19% of Black and 15.4% are Hispanic. While both H-F and OPRF were designated as commendable schools by the state last year and both have reputations as excellent schools, OPRF's recent academic performance has been significantly stronger. According to the 2024 Illinois School Report Card, only 26% of H-F juniors scored high enough on the SAT to meet the state's tough English Language Arts proficiency standards compared to 64% of OPRF juniors. In math only 18% of H-F students met the state's proficiency standard compared to 55% at OPRF. According to the state, OPRF has a higher percentage of low income students, 20%, than H-F where 14% of students are designated as low income. Like many schools across the nation Homewood-Flossmoor has a wide gap in test scores between white and Black students although its achievement gap is not as wide as it is at OPRF. At H-F the gap between the percentage of white students and Black students meeting state proficiency standards was 38 points in ELA and 33 points in math while at OPRF it was 52 points in ELA and 51 points in math. Hester said her first priority upon starting her job at OPRF on July 1 will be to get to know the school better. 'My first goal is always to make connections to everybody who's there and really seek to understand what's important to them, what matters, what makes OPRF OPRF,' Hester said. She said she is not ready to comment in detail about the Honors for All Program which just completed its third year. The first Honors for All cohort took the ACT in the spring and will be seniors in the fall. 'I need to get in and learn,' Hester said. 'I need to come to Oak Park and River Forest and really learn what Honors for All means and understand the goals more deeply than you can through an interview process and then the goal is, always, for all kids to learn at high levels.' Hester will be paid an annual salary of $195,000 at OPHF.