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News18
2 hours ago
- General
- News18
What Is Juneteenth And Why Is Donald Trump Not Celebrating It This Year?
Last Updated: Juneteenth is a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. While the United States observes Juneteenth 2025 on June 19, President Donald Trump has maintained an indifferent silence on the federal holiday this year. Trump, who honoured the day every year in his previous term as President, in fact said the US has 'too many working holidays, costing the country billions of dollars" even as he didn't mention Juneteenth in his post directly. Juneteenth is a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. The day is observed with parades, educational events, community gatherings, and moments of remembrance across the US. What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is observed on June 19 every year. The day marks the end of slavery in the United States. The name is a combination of 'June" and 'nineteenth." On this day in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, in line with President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two years earlier, on January 1, 1863. Texas was one of the last Confederate states where slavery remained in practice, as Union forces had not yet taken control. When Granger issued General Order No. 3, it finally brought the message of freedom to more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. This moment came to symbolise the final end of slavery, even though it would take the 13th Amendment, passed later that year, to abolish slavery nationwide. Over time, Juneteenth grew from local celebrations in Texas to a nationwide event. It is observed with cultural events, music, food, and historical reflections. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, underscoring its importance as a day of freedom, remembrance, and a continued call for equality and justice. How Did Juneteenth Become A Federal Holiday? Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but the journey to the day's national recognition was long and hard-fought. For decades, African American communities across the US celebrated Juneteenth locally, especially in Texas where it was first officially recognised as a state holiday in 1980. However, efforts to make it a national holiday gained momentum following the racial justice protests of 2020 after the killing of George Floyd. Activists, lawmakers, and community leaders renewed calls for federal recognition, highlighting the importance of honouring the end of slavery as a key moment in American history. One prominent voice in the movement was Opal Lee, a lifelong activist from Texas, who, walked from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. at 89, to campaign for Juneteenth's recognition. Her dedication and the growing national awareness around systemic racism helped push Congress to act. In June 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act passed swiftly with overwhelming bipartisan support, and President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021. The move marked a historic step in acknowledging the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Why Is Trump Not Celebrating Juneteenth This Year? This year, Trump did not issue any public statement or proclamation marking Juneteenth, a shift from his first term, when he routinely acknowledged the holiday. He, in fact, criticised 'too many non-working holidays" on his social media website Truth Social. 'Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed,"" Trump wrote. 'The workers don't want it either! Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," the US President added. Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either! Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE…— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 19, 2025 In January 2025, Trump had also signed an executive order dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies. This was interpreted as a move to scale back observance planning for cultural and remembrance days like Juneteenth. First Published: News explainers What Is Juneteenth And Why Is Donald Trump Not Celebrating It This Year?
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
What does Juneteenth celebrate? Meaning and origins, explained
This Thursday marks 160 years since the origin of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day the last group of enslaved people found out they had been freed. Long a holiday in the Black community and now federally recognized, the celebrations kick off each June 19, allowing people to gather, dance, reenact pivotal moments in history, and more. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and opportunity, said Sam Collins, who is on the trustee board for the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, often called 'Professor Juneteenth.' 'It's not so much about slavery as it is about the freedom from slavery and what it allowed for the former enslaved people to live their lives free, to marry, to learn to read, to educate themselves, to have self agency over their bodies, to keep their families together,' he told USA TODAY on June 10. Here's what to know about Juneteenth, how it began, and how it's celebrated today. Juneteenth is a commemoration of the events that took place 160 years ago in Galveston, Texas, about 57 miles southeast of Houston. Calling it an 'often overlooked event in our nation's history,' the National Museum of African American History said Juneteenth occurred two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in rebellious states. That day, on June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas. 'This is American history, world history, Texas history, and most of all, Galveston history, because Galveston, Texas is the birthplace of Juneteenth,' said Collins, a seventh generation Texan. Collins said formerly enslaved people celebrated after June 1865, but festivities died off for a while. In 1879, politician Robert Evans introduced a bill to celebrate Black emancipation, but the bill did not garner enough support during the Jim Crow era, Collins said. Juneteenth celebrations began to regain popularity again in the 1970s and early 1980s, after another Texas politician, Albert Ely Edwards, pushed for Juneteenth to become a state holiday, Collins said. 'There are many ancestors and elders that kept the oral history going until we made it to 2021 and it became a national holiday,' he said. 'And the truth of the matter (is that) if it wasn't for the murder of George Floyd, Juneteenth would not have become a national holiday in 2021.' Retired teacher and educator Opal Lee, known as the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' started a petition to federally recognize Juneteenth in October 2019. Not many people signed, but immediately following Floyd's murder and the protests that ensued, her petition jumped significantly and garnered over 1.6 million signatures. In June 2021, then-president Joe Biden declared June 19 a national holiday. Lee was present that day. Upon hearing the news, Collins said he thought of all those who pushed to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, including Rev. Ronald V. Myers Sr., who founded the National Juneteenth Observers Foundation before his death in 2018. 'I wish they had lived to see it,' he said. Today, Juneteenth has become commercialized, celebrated with Juneteenth cups and t-shirts and other memorabilia, Collins said. Junteenth celebrations usually feature flags such as a red, white and blue flag with a star in the center, the same colors as the American flag, Collins said. There's also the Pan African colors, or red, black and green. For previous Juneteenth celebrations, Black people would often celebrate with whatever food and drinks were available, such as red drinks or red punch as opposed to water. Watermelon is often enjoyed as it's easy to cut up and disperse, almost like a cake, he said. Today, there are also Juneteenth pageants, parades, and festivals with music and speeches. Some people believe individuals can't celebrate both Juneteenth and the Fourth of July, but this isn't the case, Collins said. 'The Fourth of July is a freedom birthday for the country, and June 19 is a freedom birthday for the formerly enslaved,' he told USA TODAY. He also stressed that there were people living in what is now known as the United States before 1776. When historians and community members talk about Juneteenth, it's important not to forget Indigenous people, he said. Juneteenth also isn't just a Texas holiday, and it isn't only for Black people, he said. It's for everyone to celebrate freedom and liberty. Collins thinks of the history of the U.S. as a salad, made up of different stories. Each date, holiday, and event helps to complete the salad, he said. 'By adding Juneteenth, the national holiday, we flavor up the history, and we expand the narrative to tell the full story of the contributions of everyone in the history of everyone in our community,' he said. Even Cinco De Mayo is tied to Juneteenth, Collins said. On May 5, 1862, a Mexican army defeated French forces in the Battle of Puebla. French Emperor Napoleon III had plans to provide the Confederacy with guns in exchange for cotton, but the French were defeated and didn't return until about a year later in May 1863. Some historians believe this pushback allowed then-president Abraham Lincoln's generals to win Union victories before the French could give the Confederacy 'upgraded artillery and munitions,' per 'We need to acknowledge all of this history and tell the full story,' Collins said 'The national holiday helps to repair the foundation of our American history's story.' Contributing: Matthew Brown, Chelsey Cox, and N'dea Yancey-Bragg Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Juneteenth? Explaining the holiday's meaning and origins
Chicago Tribune
4 hours ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
‘Our future is bright' Grayslake's Juneteenth A Celebration of Freedom Walk 2025
More than 200 people took part in this year's annual Juneteenth A Celebration of Freedom Walk on June 19 in Grayslake. Thursday's weather for the walk, which began shortly after 5 p.m., was mostly sunny with breezy temperatures in the 80 degree range. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, acknowledges the end of slavery in the United States and is observed every year on June 19. Celebrations for June 19 often fall on or near the date. Juneteenth is a federal holiday. The Grayslake walk, in collaboration with community partners, was launched in 2021 by Tamika Y. Nash of Grayslake, secretary of the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District 46, and also Juneteenth event coordinator. Nash said the Grayslake Juneteenth event began as a, 'personal 5K walk with me and my children, inspired by Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. 'It took over two years (June 19, 1865) for the last enslaved Africans to learn of their freedom via the Emancipation Proclamation that was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863. 'The walk symbolizes the long journey to freedom for the Africans of Galveston, Texas,' Nash added. The Grayslake Juneteenth event benefited from grassroots word-of-mouth publicity and expanded from three participants in 2021 to 150 in 2024, Nash indicated. 'Juneteenth is considered a community event because it embodies collective celebration, cultural pride and a commitment to justice and unity,' Nash said. 'Our celebration brings our diverse community together to reflect on history and honor resilience of our nation, and specifically the freedom journey of Africans in America,' Nash added. People assembled outside of the front of the Grayslake Area Public Library and followed a guided path with educational stations staffed by volunteers. Parked at the library was also the Mobile Museum of Tolerance bus. Recently elected Grayslake Mayor Elizabeth Davies greeted participants at the library with welcoming remarks. 'We want everybody to feel valued and that's what this event really does,' said Davies, who added about Grayslake that, 'It's a pillar of what we want to be.' The Juneteenth walk took participants through Central Park to the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum for the opportunity to add their handprints to a community art project created in the outside front courtyard. Inside, activities featured a pop-up Juneteenth display plus performance dance art. Katie Brethorst-Stockwell of Waukegan, deputy director of the Grayslake Heritage Center, said, 'It's been really fun.' The traditional song 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' was included in the program. The keynote speaker at the Heritage Center was newly re-elected Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham. Cunningham said, 'In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, yet it took until June 19, 1865, two and a half years later, for Union troops to arrive in Galveston, Texas, to announce to the last enslaved Africans in America that they were free. 'Consider that deeply, freedom delayed, justice postponed,' Cunningham said. 'Yet, through it all, they hoped, they believed, and they endured. 'Let us recognize that Juneteenth signifies it is not just about a one-time event of freedom,' Cunningham said. 'It represents an ongoing struggle, a collective journey. 'I think our future is bright,' the Waukegan mayor also said. Lynn Glickman, superintendent of schools for (CCSD 46) Community Consolidated School District 46, was among volunteers staffing stops along the path. Glickman held signage with a question for attendees that posed, 'How was the original Juneteenth celebrated?' The answer was, 'People began celebrating with huge feasts and dancing. They prayed and sang spiritual music. The first official Juneteenth celebration took place exactly one year later. It was June 19, 1866.' Glickman said dozens of languages are spoken in Grayslake's school district as a measure of its diversity. 'We are so proud of the inclusivity of our school district and our community,' Glickman said. 'This is a place where everybody can thrive. 'Anytime we can bring our community together, and think through the topics that are important to our community, and should be important to a community, it's a good day,' Glickman added. Diane Summers of Gurnee, president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Lambda Nu Omega chapter (chapter chartered in Waukegan on May 27, 1977), helped to staff a water station. In 2014, chapter members established a foundation called the (LCP) Lake County P.E.A.R.L.S., Inc., which instills empowerment, leadership and service. Summers wore a t-shirt that read, 'Vote. Enough Said,' with an 'O' letter drawn in pearls. 'When you think about the purpose of this (Juneteenth) day, there were a lot of people who didn't have freedom, basic freedom, let alone the ability to vote,' Summers said. 'We need to exercise that.' Ashley Bonnes of Grayslake arrived on a bicycle with daughter Ella, 2, who traveled in a child's bike seat. Son Wyatt, 7, a rising second-grader, also rode a bike. Ashley Bonnes said about Grayslake as a welcoming community, 'I think we do a pretty good job.' See
Chicago Tribune
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Gary celebrates Juneteenth with parade in Midtown
Looking at her grandchildren's interest in a Juneteenth parade, Wendy Kimble can't help but feel proud. 'I love it,' Kimble said. 'It gives us a time to be able to etch this moment in time and be able to spend time with our family.' They went to the parade because her grandchildren like cars, but Kimble was hoping they'd walk away with more life lessons. 'This is just an example of what it means to come together as African Americans and our community,' Kimble said. 'But, it's so much more than that, and I intend on teaching them that.' Kimble and her family attended Gary's Juneteenth parade Thursday, which is part of the city's Midtown Fest. The parade started at the intersection of 15th Avenue and Broadway and ended at Roosevelt Park. Thursday also featured a car show at Roosevelt Park and music, including a performance by singer Kym Mazelle, who is from Gary. Mazelle was also the grand marshal of the Juneteenth parade. 'I'm overwhelmed to be back home,' Mazelle said. 'I'm overwhelmed to be part of this event for Juneteenth, and I'm blessed to be back at Roosevelt Park.' Juneteenth, which is every June 19, is a federal holiday that celebrates the emancipation of all enslaved people in the U.S., according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It marks the date in 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news of their emancipation from slavery by order of Major General Gordon Granger. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, but slaveholders in Texas, which was part of the Confederacy, were inconsistent in following it. Freedom for all remaining slaves came in December 1865 when the 13th Amendment was ratified. State Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, issued a statement ahead of the national holiday, urging people to not allow actions to be taken to erase Black history. Harris' said that action first takes place in the classroom, and the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is making moves to 'remove roadblocks and create an equal playing field' for all Hoosiers. 'Today, 160 years later, Juneteenth is still as important as it was the first year it was celebrated,' Harris said. 'Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the liberation, joy and achievements of Black people. It is also a time to channel our efforts to overcome the barriers that still lie ahead of us.' Watching her hometown celebrate Juneteenth made Mazelle proud, she said. Mazelle cried before the parade because she was so happy to see Gary embracing a holiday dedicated to Black Americans. 'It's beautiful,' Mazelle said. 'There's just so much history here.' Nawtissha Edwards, from Merrillville, heard about the parade from a flyer, and she was excited to celebrate the national holiday with her husband, Martice. She hopes the parade continues to grow in the future, Edwards said. 'A lot of years, nothing is done, but now we know something is being done,' she said. 'It's being acknowledged, it's now a national holiday. We just wanted to be able to come out here and celebrate with everyone else.' Edwards also enjoyed seeing children involved in the celebration, especially seeing them in Juneteenth colors and participating in the parade. 'I'm very proud and very excited for the next generation,' Edwards said. 'I want them to know what the meaning is. I think that's important.' Vanita and Octavia Wells, a mother and daughter from Gary, walked together in the Juneteenth parade, representing Little Bean Learning, which provides a nature-based education to students. Vanita Wells said it was important for them to walk in the parade so they can be seen and show people why supporting Black history matters. Walking with her mother made the parade even more special, Octavia Wells said. 'I've always been super proud of my mom with all the stuff she's accomplished,' she said. 'It means a lot to just be able to enjoy and celebrate what others have accomplished.'
Black America Web
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Juneteenth Is Black Joy: 7 Black Women On What Liberation Looks Like Now
Source: Courtesy of Featured / Courtesy of Featured As the nation pauses to honor Juneteenth—the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—Black Americans continue to infuse the day with meaning, reflection, and joy. It's more than a commemoration. It's a celebration of culture, a resistance against erasure, and a radical assertion of freedom in all its forms. We spoke with several Black changemakers, creatives, and community leaders to hear how they celebrate Juneteenth, what freedom means to them, and how they intentionally make space for joy—especially in times that threaten it most. Source: Courtesy of Featured / Courtesy of Blair Imani Activist and educator Blair Imani (she/her) celebrates Juneteenth by 'centering community and focusing on education.' For her, the holiday is a chance to uplift Black Americans and affirm that 'our history is U.S. history.' Similarly, Ozy Aloziem (she/her), a DEI strategist and poet, immerses herself in 'Black people, Black music, Black stories, Black food, Black joy, Black art, and Black everything' during the holiday. 'I try to find ways to honor and hold space for history and the hard-earned freedom I'm privileged to access,' she shares. For Whitney Roberts, the day is centered around family traditions. 'We explain, in an age-appropriate way, what the holiday is and why it matters,' she says. Then, the family turns to cooking together, pulling recipes from Watermelon and Red Birds by Nicole Taylor. 'Juneteenth for us is really about family, about connection, and about love.' Source: Courtesy of Featured / Courtesy of Whitney Roberts Zayna Allen (she/her) reflects on her evolving relationship with the holiday. 'I only started celebrating within the past five years,' she says, explaining that Juneteenth wasn't something she learned about until adulthood. Now, she prioritizes being around her community. 'On Juneteenth, we're unapologetically Blackity Black—and I love seeing that from us.' Gabrielle, co-founder of Vibes In The Park , marks the occasion through community-based celebrations like festivals, food, art, and educational events. 'We support Black-owned businesses and creators—centering Black culture in all its beauty and brilliance.' While the holiday commemorates a historic moment of freedom, today's Black leaders acknowledge that the concept of liberation remains complex and contested. 'Freedom is under constant threat,' says Blair Imani, referencing attacks on trans rights, reproductive justice, immigrant communities, and voting rights. 'While we are in a different position than our ancestors were in 1865, freedom must still be fought for diligently.' She uplifts the work of the Legal Defense Fund and others who continue to defend civil rights in the face of modern-day oppression. Source: Courtesy of Featured / Courtesy of Ozy Aloziem For Ozy, freedom means 'being able to access and live into possibility,' unbound by fear. Whitney sees it as 'being your full self without fear,' living in a way so free it liberates others just by example. And for Gabrielle, it's about 'existing fully and unapologetically—mentally, spiritually, and physically.' Zayna envisions freedom as the ability to step outside without fear, to be wholly oneself without restraint. It's a dream, she admits, but one worth holding onto and pushing toward. In a world that often attempts to rob Black people of peace and rest, joy is a revolutionary act. 'Joy and the fight against oppression are not mutually exclusive,' says Blair. 'In fact, joy is necessary to fight against our dehumanization.' Whether it's a comedy show, time with loved ones, or new music, she sees joy as a way to stay grounded in the vision of a better world. Whitney agrees that joy must be intentional. 'It could be a dance party with my 4-year-old, Kiki-ing with my friends, journaling, or neighborhood walks,' she says. 'Whatever it is, it must be an intentional choice. If joy can't be found, sometimes it must be made.' Source: Courtesy of Featured / Courtesy of Zayna Allen Ozy speaks passionately about her transformation from melancholy to what she calls 'the queen of wow.' She finds joy in everything from silly Instagram reels and jump-roping to poetry and yellow sunflowers. 'Joy, quite literally, is at my fingertips,' she laughs, referring to her sunflower-covered phone case and bright yellow nails. For Zayna, protecting joy is an act of resistance. 'It's tough,' she admits. 'But I don't allow external factors to jeopardize my connection to joy, no matter how hard it is to find it some days.' Gabrielle echoes this sentiment, saying she makes space for joy by 'protecting my peace, surrounding myself with people who pour into me, and doing things that feel good to my mind, body, and spirit.' Juneteenth is not just a day off or a moment of historical reflection. It's a living, breathing call to action. It invites us to remember what our ancestors fought for and to recommit ourselves to a vision of freedom that includes joy, justice, and full self-expression. As these voices remind us, liberation isn't a moment—it's a lifelong journey. And on that journey, joy is not optional. It's essential. SEE ALSO Juneteenth Is Black Joy: 7 Black Women On What Liberation Looks Like Now was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
