A Look At Juneteenth History And Ways Of Celebration
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Read More about the history of Juneteenth here: The Real History Behind Juneteenth
For more than one-and-a-half centuries, the Juneteenth holiday has been sacred to many Black communities as a day of remembrance and honoring the end of American Slavery.
It is celebrated in numerous ways around the U.S. The most meaningful ways to get involved on Juneteenth focus on supporting communities, expanding access to opportunity, and preserving history.
Here are some ways Juneteenth and been celebrated over the years and ways you can celebrate.
Juneteenth flags and representation
For about a century there was no flag representing Juneteenth until 1997. The first version was created by activist Ben Haith and that early version was displayed in 1997. The colors and symbols on the flag are representative of freedom and the end of slavery.
American artist David Hammons created what’s known as the African American heritage flag in 1990, combining the colors of the Pan-African flag with the pattern of the flag of the United States to represent African diaspora identity.
The Black American Heritage Flag is an ethnic flag that represents the culture and history of African American people
Ways of Celebrating juneteenth
People across the country celebrate Juneteenth by gathering with family and friends for parties, parades, cookouts, parades, and readings.
Here is a look at ways you can celebrate, just like those that came before you.
Community Cookouts and Picnics
For many years during segregation, African Americans were prohibited from hosting their celebrations indoor public facilities so they were typically hosted by churches or outdoors.
It is common in Juneteenth traditions to serve red foods and drinks like red velvet cake and watermelons.
The color red represents the blood of Black people who were enslaved and never experienced freedom, as well as the resilience and transformational power of Black people.
Meat is also common in modern day cookouts, but for many years meat was scarce and fruits and vegetables were the staple foods in Juneteenth celebrations.
Social Gatherings, Parade, Block Party, and performances
Social Gatherings, Parade, Block Party, and performances are a great way to celebrate Juneteenth. Spending time with family and people in your community is a core pillar of Juneteenth.
Read books by black authors and Teach your children
For children of all racial identities, Juneteenth can be a time for learning about slavery in the United States, the resilience of Black people and the bravery of people of all racial groups who fought to end slavery.
The more we share history with children, the stronger their sense of history and time will become. Here are a few book recommendations for children adults to educate themselves on Juneteenth’s history.
Children’s Book RECOMMENDATIONs
All Different Now: Juneteenth, The First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson and illustrated E.B. Lewis
Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South
Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie
This poetic, nonfiction story about a little-known piece of African American history captures a human’s capacity to find hope and joy in difficult circumstances and demonstrates how New Orleans’ Congo Square was truly freedom’s heart.
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
Annette Gordon-Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond.
Black Freedom: A Visual History of Juneteenth and Emancipation Days by Blair LM Kelley
This volume brings together stirring essays and striking images from Juneteenth and beyond, offering a sweeping portrait of how Black people have created and sustained rituals of remembrance, a testament to the generations who, through celebration and storytelling, demanded that their contributions to the making of America be fully recognized.
Visit museums
From local libraries to museums, there are many places in your community hosting events to celebrate Juneteenth. Coming together as a family to discuss Juneteenth is a wonderful way to celebrate this important day.
The National Juneteenth Museum
The National Juneteenth Museum connects the stories of freedom of the enslaved to modern-day liberation.
The National Museum of African American History And Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.
black businesses, Donate to black charities, volunteer
Lastly, one of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to give back to your community. Purchase from black owned businesses in your neighborhood. Donate to African American charities to help those in need.
Systemic gaps often show up most clearly in access to basic needs like food and housing. Juneteenth is a meaningful time to support organizations working on the frontlines to address these challenges and improve day-to-day stability for underserved communities.
No matter how you celebrate its important your remember why your celebrating in the first place. Juneteenth has become a day for all Americans to reflect and commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of enslaved Americans. As the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey toward granting freedom and equality to all citizens.
