Juneteenth Is a Day of Celebration and Reflection—Here's What It Means and How to Commemorate It

The dawning of summertime also means it's time to celebrate Juneteenth. The name of this federal holiday may be familiar to some, but others may be left scratching their temples. For the latter, here's a brief history lesson on Juneteenth—including its origins and special significance—plus great ways to celebrate.

What Is Juneteenth?

The annual holiday of Juneteenth marks the historic date of June 19, 1865, when the last of the enslaved Black people in the United States finally learned of their freedom—a full two and a half years after the official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday name "Juneteenth" blends the month and day, June 19. It's also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day.

The History of Juneteenth

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into effect, which freed enslaved people of African descent, declaring "…all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State… shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free…"

Great, right? The only problem: More than 250,000 people in Texas were still enslaved two and a half years later. So why did it take over years? As long as Texas was under Confederate rule (which it was until the official end of the Civil War, in May 1865), enslavers didn't have to comply with Lincoln's order. It took the collapse of the Confederacy and military intervention for the proclamation to be enforced. On June 19, 1865, Union troops, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing that the war had ended and the people enslaved in the state were free.

Why Juneteenth Is So Special

"It might seem like a small moment in time, but it is a critical moment in the long struggle to realize the promises of American democracy and freedom," explains Shennette Garrett-Scott, PhD, an associate professor of history and African American studies at the University of Mississippi and author of the award-winning book Banking on Freedom: Black Women in U.S. Finance Before the New Deal. "Juneteenth would surely have gone unmarked in our collective historical memory had it not been for the thousands of formerly enslaved people who kindled the small flame of that moment."

Newly freed slaves in Texas celebrated the first Juneteenth in 1866, making it the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Texans have been observing the day for over 150 years now—my father, who was born in Houston in the 1940s, remembers celebrating the day in grand style as a child. However, Juneteenth was not recognized as an official state or federal holiday until very recently.

When Did Juneteenth Become a Federal Holiday?

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, did not become an official holiday in the state of Texas until 1980. Juneteenth finally became a federal holiday by law in June 2021, after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

Every state has at some point recognized Juneteenth as a holiday or a day of observance. At least 28 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as a paid holiday, meaning state workers have a paid day off. (This year, June 19 falls on a Wednesday.)

The Lasting Legacy of Juneteenth

The meaning and celebration of Juneteenth has evolved over time, reflecting changes in U.S. society over the years. According to Garrett-Scott, the very earliest celebrations focused on the most important values of freed people: family, church, and citizenship. "Alongside their picnics and barbecues, African Americans discussed voting rights and encouraged participation in the political process," she says.

During the Jim Crow era—a time of legalized racial segregation—it became a holiday that reaffirmed Black culture, Garrett-Scott says. The Great Migration, during which millions of African Americans moved from rural Southern states to urban Northern and Western states, saw Southerners spread the celebration of Juneteenth across the country.

After World War II, Juneteenth took on new meanings in the fight for civil rights and Black Power. For example, Garrett-Scott explains, after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the Poor People's March held Solidarity Day, a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on June 19, 1968, taking place five days after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, featuring singing, praying, and speakers. "The holiday became a rallying point for people across the country to celebrate Black culture and the ideals of American democracy," she says.

In the 21st century, it's celebrated by a diverse range of people and countries around the world, says Garrett-Scott. "Juneteenth, as a festival of freedom, has easily adapted to the new cultural, economic, and political realities of a diverse and global world."

Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth

Considering America is called the "melting pot" of the world, "we should take as many opportunities as possible both to celebrate the contributions of different groups of people to the making of the United States and to tell a more nuanced story about our shared history," Garrett-Scott says.

Juneteenth offers us a day to do just that. It serves as an ideal opportunity to "reflect on the vestiges of slavery in the present day, make you more conscious of the racial inequities that remain with us, and help you take action to eradicate them within ourselves and in our society," she adds.

To help commemorate this poignant anniversary of the true abolition of slavery and celebrate the advancements of African Americans since emancipation, a quick Google search in your city will likely reveal a host of activities and ways to celebrate, including parades, block parties, barbecues, marches, and more. Here are a few more ways to enjoy a festive and meaningful Juneteenth.

1. Party with Loved Ones and/or Your Community

Cities around the U.S. host fun events for Juneteenth. In Galveston, Texas, head to the annual Juneteenth Family Fun Day Block Party at the Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church — you’ll find live entertainment from local dance groups and singers, food from restaurants in town, and vendors selling their crafts and goods. On June 16, Philadelphia is holding its annual parade, which ends at Malcolm X Park, where you can fill the day with some family-friendly fun. In Congo Square in New Orleans on June 19, enjoy music from the African diaspora and see West African and Afro-Cuban dancing. Milwaukee's Jubilee Parade and Street Festival kicks off at 8 a.m. on June 19, with a display of floats, dancing, and musical performances, including some local high school marching bands. And in Los Angeles, don't miss out on the Leimert Park Rising Juneteenth Celebration.

You can also host your own celebration soirée in, say, a park or your own backyard. "Parties present powerful opportunities to reaffirm collective values," Garrett-Scott says, adding that it's an ideal time to "engage in cross-generational dialogue between youth and elders." Channel the celebrations of the past and infuse your outdoor activities with praying, singing, the re-reading of the proclamation, and, of course, good food.

2. Eat Well—and with Purpose

Food has long been a centerpiece of Juneteenth celebrations, both the act of connecting over a delicious meal as well as the actual meal itself. "The African American community has always come together in celebration with foods prepared to be shared. Historically [this] included ingredients accessible to African Americans and based on their regional locations," explains Michiel Perry, the founder of Black Southern Belle and host of FoodNetwork.com's live digital series The Juneteenth Menu.

"Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, a tropical region, so many foods served were suitable to the climate and agriculture in the area," she says. "Today, popular foods eaten [on Juneteenth] are likely based on the region [you're in], but, of course, ingredients are more accessible."

The dishes served up on Juneteenth hold special meaning, too. "[The color] red is an integral part of Juneteenth, as it honors our African American ancestors—their bloodshed and resilience—[and] greens such as collards and turnips symbolize prosperity," Perry says. Golden cornbread and sweet potatoes, often served in pies and cobblers, represent wealth.

"For me, being in the Lowcountry, red rice and seafood are integral parts of our Juneteenth celebrations," says Perry, adding that red velvet cake is a sweet Southern staple she loves to bake with her family for the holiday.

3. Do Some Research

It's the perfect time to "learn more about the meaning of freedom and race in America, and especially about the legacies of slavery," Garrett-Scott says. Books are one of life's greatest teachers. A couple of Juneteenth-specific reads to turn to include Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison and On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed.

Museums, including the National Museum of African American History & Culture, can also shed light on the historical significance and complexity of slavery. You can also organize an outing to a site of significance in your community and use it as a moment to learn about a piece of the Black experience. For example in Jackson, Miss., there's Freedom Corner, the intersection of Martin Luther King Junior Drive and Medgar Evers Boulevard; and in St. Louis, Mo., there's the Old Courthouse where the landmark decision of Dred Scott v. Sandford was handed down.

4. Organize a Community Clean-Up

Many societies of color, particularly Black communities, face environmental racism, which means they're in greater harm from environmental factors (think: the Flint Michigan water crisis and Louisiana's Cancer Alley). You can use Juneteenth as a day to be of service in your community, suggests Garrett-Scott, especially since it's now a paid day off. Gather your friends and give back by helping to clean up some of these communities. Picking up trash, removing debris from streams, and planting trees won't change things overnight, but even small acts of service can help rein in pollution, making living life just a little bit healthier in these areas.

5. Give Financial Support

Shop at some of our favorite Black-owned businesses (on Juneteenth and all year round, of course) and donate to organizations that support racial justice, like the NAACP, American Civil Liberties Union, and Black Lives Matter.