Juneteenth: A Guide for Beginners

Celebrating Emancipation

The History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is an annual holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. The holiday has been celebrated since June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas finally learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed two years earlier. On June 19th, 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, which declared that "all slaves are free." This news spread like wildfire throughout the state and beyond, and June 19th became a day of celebration for newly freed African Americans.

Celebrating Juneteenth Today

Juneteenth is now celebrated throughout the United States with parades, festivals, cookouts, and other events. It is a day for African Americans to reflect on their history and celebrate their freedom. In recent years, Juneteenth has also become a day for all Americans to learn about the history of slavery and its legacy. Many schools and businesses now hold Juneteenth observances, and there are a growing number of books and films that tell the story of this important holiday.