5 things to know about Juneteenth (2024)

This article was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated with additional questions and answers.

In 2021, President Biden signed into law a bill declaring June 19, also known as “Juneteenth,” a federal holiday. Marking the official end of slavery in Texas, Juneteenth is now also a Colorado state holiday after Governor Jared Polis signed it into law in 2022.

Ashleigh Lawrence Sanders is an expert in African American history focusing on Black cultural history and collective memory in the United States. She shared insights on the significance of Juneteenth and how celebrations and observances have evolved since its recognition as a national holiday.

Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is just one of many emancipation celebrations in the African Diaspora. Black people throughout the Americas since the early 1800s have celebrated emancipation when it came to their nations, states or regions. Juneteenth is a celebration that originally focused on Black Texans. On June 19, 1865—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on Jan. 1, 1863—a Union general proclaimed enslaved people in Texas were free.

Emancipation celebrations were spaces where African Americans reflected on the past, present and future of the race, commemorated what freedom meant to them and served as a call to action for continued struggles. But the days on which people celebrate emancipation differs from state to state—it’s not just a singular event on June 19.

How did Juneteenth transition from a local Texas celebration to a national holiday?

There were a couple factors. First, was the second wave of the Great Migration between 1940 and 1970—the movement of millions of Black Southerners to the West, Midwest and Northeast. Black Texans who moved out of the state carried many traditions with them, including Juneteenth celebrations.Additionally, from the 1970s to 1990s, several Black activists and politiciansled movements advocatingfor Juneteenth to be recognized as a federal holiday. However, it wasn't until 2021, amidst the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, that a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers successfully pushed for its national recognition.

How have Juneteenth celebrations evolved since it became a national holiday?

Juneteenth is now widely recognized, resulting in a deeper national understanding of its historical significance, and that of other emancipation observances in the U.S.

However, the increased popularity—marked by more diverse and larger-scale celebrations—has raised concerns about its impact on local celebrations. Some smaller Black-owned businesses and vendors are now excluded from major events, and celebrations have become less accessible to some community members. Juneteenth has also become more commercialized, with stores now stocked with themed merchandise and corporations reaping the profits.

All of these concerns have prompted important discussions about how to celebrate this day, while also acknowledging and preserving the cultural histories and experiences of Black communities that the day represents.

How do holidays like Juneteenth encourage people to challenge the conventional narratives of American history?

I think the key significance of Juneteenth lies in its recognition that emancipation was a gradual process, and that full freedom for Black people didn’t actually happen for decades after the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment. There was no singular moment in history when all Black people were freed—not even on Juneteenth. So, the holiday symbolizes the decades of struggle and activism that culminated in true emancipation.

The timing of the holiday's official recognition is also interesting. It was after the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, which ignited widespread demands for reform and the dismantling of systems perpetuating police violence, racism and inequality. However, instead of substantive changes, what followed was the establishment of a holiday. While the national recognition of Juneteenth marks a positive step, it falls short of addressing the systemic issues that have yet to be solved four years later.

Juneteenth and all emancipation observances across the U.S. commemorate pivotal moments in the pursuit of Black freedom, but they also serve as a reminder that there’s so much more work to be done.

How can I educate myself and others about Juneteenth?

A good short history of the holiday’s evolution can be found on BlackPast, a web-based reference center that is dedicated to the understanding of African American history. But I also encourage people to read up on the broader history of Emancipation Days across the United States, because Black Americans continue to celebrate different dates in different places.

Title image:Juneteenth parade in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1922 (CC image).