Latest news with #JuneNineteenth
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
What's the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans
The United States' newest federal holiday, celebrated annually on June 19, has quickly become its most puzzling one. Four years after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Americans have wrestled with what to make of the holiday. What is Juneteenth? What is the proper way to celebrate it? Should holiday observers attend barbecues and cookouts? Should Juneteenth's observance be a day of learning? Is there a way to acknowledge the holiday without misappropriating it? This confusion likely emerged because many Americans did not even learn about Juneteenth until around when it became a federal holiday in 2021. Moreover, the Trump administration and state legislatures across the country have further complicated matters with their increased efforts to ban the type of education that led to the national recognition of the holiday in the first place. The Illinois town of Plano made history in its celebration of Juneteenth, but now the party's getting moved to YorkvilleJuneteenth – short for June Nineteenth – recognizes the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with roughly 2,000 federal troops from the 13th Army Corps. Upon arriving, Granger issued General Order No. 3. The order read: 'The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.' Granger's order effectively freed 250,000 enslaved people in the region. Though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the enslaved in all the states that had seceded from the U.S., nearly 2½ years earlier, Texas, a Confederate state, rebelled against it. At the time, Texas had a minimal number of Union soldiers to enforce the proclamation's emancipation of enslaved people residing within Confederate territory. Consequently, many of those enslaved in Texas remained ignorant of the proclamation's potential impact on their lives, or of the fact the Civil War had functionally ended two months earlier. In an interview published in 1941, for example, Laura Smalley of Hempstead, Texas, remembered how her enslaver fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. He returned without informing those whom he enslaved of their freedom. In her interview, she recounted, 'Old master didn't tell, you know, they was free … I think now they say they worked them, six months after that.' June 19, 1865, a Monday, changed that. The news of emancipation culminated a generations-long struggle for Black people to obtain a modicum of freedom in the U.S. For this reason, some refer to Juneteenth as the nation's second Independence Day. The end of bondage was ostensibly codified in the 13th Amendment ratified later that year. Spontaneous Juneteenth celebrations emerged almost immediately. Celebrants referred to the day as 'Emancipation Day,' 'Freedom Day,' 'Juneteenth' and 'Jubilee Day.' The latter title alluded to the biblical period following seven sabbatical cycles that resulted in canceling debts and freeing the enslaved. Flake's Bulletin, a weekly, Galveston-based publication, reported on an Emancipation Celebration occurring on Jan. 2, 1866, that included upward of 800 people. A similar gathering occurred in Galveston on June 19, 1866, in what is now the church known as Reedy Chapel AME. Annual celebrations continued, beginning in southeastern Texas, with events such as historical reenactments, parades, picnics, music and speeches. While the holiday marked a joyous occasion for some, Juneteenth met early and persistent opposition, particularly in the time following Reconstruction. For years, local reporting spoke of Juneteenth, as the Galveston Historical Foundation put it, in a 'flagrantly racist nature.' Additionally, the racist stereotyping – 'idleness' – in the final sentence of Granger's order simultaneously illustrated its complicated nature while also '[foreshadowing] that the fight for freedom would continue,' National Archives staffer Michael Davis wrote in 2020. Historian Keisha Blain explains, 'The enslavement of Black people in the U.S. may have ended but the legacies of slavery still shape every aspect of Black life.' Advocates such as Opal Lee, commonly referred to as the 'grandmother of Juneteenth,' pressed for Juneteenth celebration to continue and, ultimately, for it to be made a national holiday. Lee began her advocacy in earnest during the mid-1970s in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. The oldest member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Lee spearheaded several campaigns to draw attention to Juneteenth. These campaigns included initiatives such as an online petition promoting the holiday's observance launched in 2019 that amassed 1.6 million signatures. In speaking on the significance of Juneteenth, Lee said, 'Freedom is for everyone. I think freedom should be celebrated from the 19th of June to the Fourth of July; however, none of us are free until we are all free. We are not free yet, and Juneteenth is a symbol of that.' Because of this advocacy, Juneteenth has grown from relatively obscure regional celebrations to, starting in 2021, a federal holiday. The establishment of the holiday was the capstone of initiatives during the racial reckoning. Historians refer to the racial reckoning as the time period beginning in the summer of 2020 until the spring of the following year that witnessed heightened attention to America's nagging history of racism. This reckoning included the historic protests prompted by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. During this time, numerous institutions, ranging from colleges and universities to major companies, made commitments to racial equity. The recognition of Juneteenth represented a symbolic means to honor those commitments. In remarks marking his signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Biden said, 'Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come.' But within a year, some had already begun to argue the nation had, as community organizer Braxton Brewington wrote, 'betrayed the spirit of Jubilee Day.' Many of the racial equity commitments made during the racial reckoning quickly vanished within a year or two. Economist William Michael Cunningham revealed American companies pledged $50 billion to racial equity efforts in 2020, yet had only spent $250 million by 2021. By the spring of 2025, companies such as Walmart and McDonald's announced they will discontinue their diversity, equity and inclusion work. Moreover, Walmart will stop using the term altogether. Amazon, Meta and dozens of other large corporations made similar announcements. And members of the Trump administration have mounted continual attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion policies and used the term as a politically expedient slur to deride Black people. This is also exacerbated by the Trump administration's challenges to birthright citizenship, a key right that gave citizenship to the formerly enslaved and later guaranteed important rights to the entire populace. This major shift has fueled arguments that the U.S. has regressed from efforts toward racial equity and thus undermined the meaning of Juneteenth. And such backtracking arguably makes some Juneteenth celebrations performative exercises rather than celebrations of true racial equity. As one critic asked, has the holiday devolved 'into an exploitative and profit-driven enterprise for companies that disregard the true significance of this day to the Black community?' All of this has led to increasing confusion over how to commemorate Juneteenth, if at all. Juneteenth is not the first federal holiday with a complicated history. Nevertheless, with other complex holidays, Americans had years to process their misgivings. In short, the nation is still deciding what it means to be free. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here:
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
Bank holiday today: Are banks closed for Juneteenth on June 19? Details here
Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) is a US federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day — June 19, 1865 — when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. January 1, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. June 19, 1865 – Union General Gordon Granger arrives in Galveston, Texas, and issues General Order No. 3, officially enforcing the end of slavery in the last Confederate holdout. June 19, 1866 – The first Juneteenth celebrations are held by freed African Americans in Texas with prayer meetings, music, food, and community gatherings. 2021 – Juneteenth becomes the 11th US federal holiday, signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. Here's what to know about the status of banks, post offices, and shipping services on Juneteenth — and whether they'll be open or closed. No, most banks will be closed. Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve Bank holiday, meaning the central bank that regulates the US financial system is closed. While private banks aren't required to close, many do observe the holiday. Transactions made via online or mobile banking will not be processed until Friday, June 20. ATMs and online services remain available, though payments and transfers won't post until the next business day. Capital One (Note: Capital One Cafés will remain open) All US Postal Service (USPS) retail locations will be closed on Thursday, June 19. No residential or business mail delivery will occur on Juneteenth. Priority Mail Express will continue to operate as it does 365 days a year. Regular USPS services will resume on Friday, June 20. Yes, both UPS and FedEx will be operating as usual. UPS Store locations will be open. (Hours may vary by location — check locally.) FedEx pickup and delivery services will be running on June 19. FedEx Office locations will also be open. While USPS is closed, customers can rely on UPS and FedEx for both sending and receiving packages. No, US markets will be closed. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and bond markets will all observe the Juneteenth holiday. No trading activity will occur on June 19. The next scheduled market closure is Independence Day (July 4, 2025). No. All levels of government will observe the holiday. Federal offices will be closed. State and local government offices, including DMVs and municipal buildings, will also shut down in observance of Juneteenth. Courts and public libraries will remain closed for the day. Yes, most major businesses remain open on Juneteenth. Juneteenth is not a mandated business closure holiday for private employers. While most big-name retailers and supermarkets will be open, some small businesses may choose to close. Many companies offer holiday pay or time-and-a-half wages for employees working on the holiday. Retailers and grocery stores open on Juneteenth: Target (open under regular hours) Walmart (open unless restricted by local/state law) Fast Food & Coffee chains: McDonald's and most national fast-food brands (open) Note: While major chains stay open, locally owned stores, restaurants, or boutiques may have limited hours or choose to close. Call ahead for store-specific details.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Juneteenth 2025: Significance, history, celebration and other details
Source: Canva 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like CVS Is Fuming Over New 87¢ Generic Viagra — See Why Health Alliance by Friday Plans Learn More Undo Source: iStock 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. Source: Canva 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.
