Juneteenth Meaning

Juneteenth: A Day of Freedom and Remembrance

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 announce that all enslaved people were free. This day is now celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Origins of Juneteenth

Juneteenth has its roots in the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. This proclamation declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were free. However, it took over two years for the Union Army to enforce the proclamation in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and read General Order No. 3, which stated that "the people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday

In 2021, Juneteenth was officially designated as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden. This was a significant step in recognizing the importance of this day and its historical significance.