Juneteenth, on June 19th annually, is a federal holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. While Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden, the holiday can be traced back to June 19th, 1865, the day the Emancipation Proclamation, the law that ended slavery, was originally enforced.
Because of Juneteenth's long history and the fact that it's centered around the independence of Black Americans, it's sometimes referred to as the "Second Independence Day." Other names include Freedom Day and Emancipation Day.
Here's an overview of Juneteenth history!
What Does Juneteenth Represent?
At its core, Juneteenth celebrates the day countless African Americans were freed from slavery at the end of the Civil War. Beyond that, it celebrates the resilience and ability to overcome that defines many oppressed people, regardless of heritage.
Was Slavery Legal Until Juneteenth?
Until 1865, slavery was a legal practice in most states but not all. This is to say, it was up to states whether or not slavery was legal. Generally speaking, the northern parts of the United States had already outlawed slavery, with Vermont leading the charge, having outlawed it in 1777, roughly 88 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. That said, in Vermont, a person could be enslaved until they were 18 as a woman and 21 as a man. Also worth noting, slavery was banned in the midwestern United States as early as 1787.
Comparatively, slavery was legal in all southern states until Juneteenth.
What Challenges Did Newly Formerly Enslaved People Face?
Formerly enslaved people experienced segregation, violence, lack of opportunities, and poverty. They were freed, but they had no money, food, land, or shelter to show for their lifetimes of work. One of the biggest causes of the lack of resources provided to formerly enslaved people was chattel slavery, which is the type of slavery that was practiced in the United States. Chattel slavery means that an enslaved person is treated as property that can be traded, inherited, and, more importantly, is never given rights. Essentially, they are born into oppression and live their lives oppressed. For comparison, other forms of slavery, like indentured servitude, were for preordained amounts of time. Whether it be a year, a decade, etc., once the indentured servitude ended, a person was allowed to own land, marry, gain an education, and otherwise live a full life, whereas chattel slavery prohibited this. It's for this reason, and others, that many freed slaves became sharecroppers.
How is Juneteenth Celebrated?
Juneteenth celebrations are filled with food, music, and community. Typically, the events take place in parks and churches but can be held anywhere where a sense of community is prevalent. Furthermore, anyone can celebrate Juneteenth.
How You Can Observe and Celebrate Juneteenth
As Juneteenth approaches, we encourage you to learn more about African American history and support local Black-owned businesses. These are just a few steps that all of us can take to help create a more diverse and welcoming culture for everyone.
Join all of us in celebrating Juneteenth, while also recognizing that despite progress being made, there's still work to be done. We must continue to champion civil rights and fight social injustice every day.