The History of Juneteenth and its Journey of Becoming a Federally Recognized Holiday

Two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans celebrated the fall of slavery after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee

JUNE 19, 1865 -- Galveston, Texas -- Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 which declared that all slaves are free in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order, given by President Abraham Lincoln. The order additionally ensures absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former slave owners and slaves. (Texas Newspaper Collection, Briscoe Center for American History, UT Austin)

On June 19th of 1865, Union General Gordon Granger sailed into Galveston, Texas following the fall of the Confederacy to inform the public that “all slaves are free.” This order effectively implemented the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln that declared the liberation of all slaves in the United States of America.

Following the fall of the Confederacy, the ratification of the 13th Amendment, and the Union's

assertation of political power in the South, the institution of slavery began to dissolve.

Subsequently, around 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas where over 250,000 African American slaves were freed. This celebration of mass liberation has since been celebrated as Juneteenth sometimes also referred to as Freedom Day.

Since the beginning of the Reconstruction Era, former slaves and their families have celebrated Juneteenth as a commemoration of freedom and a large step toward racial equality and justice. Additionally, the holiday has played a significant role in movements regarding equal rights such as the Civil Rights Movement with it being viewed as a symbol of empowerment.

However, despite its historical significance as a symbol of freedom and emancipation, a large

majority of Americans were not aware of the holiday or what it entailed for generations. While

increased awareness of the holiday can be attributed to the Second Great Migration during the Second World War, it was not until recently that many Americans have been acquainted with Juneteenth.

Juneteenth’s path to becoming a federally recognized holiday begins with the Texas Legislature as they passed a bill on June 7, 1979, recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday being the first in the nation to do so. Eventually, states across the nation followed suit and the holiday is recognized in some form by all states.

Awareness of Juneteenth reached an all-time high after the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McActee, Andre Hill, and countless other victims helped the American public recognize racial injustice as an ongoing prominent issue. With many Americans seeking to educate themselves further on the

oppression of African Americans and police brutality, Juneteenth was recognized nationwide

with around 60% of Americans being aware of the holiday today according to a poll conducted by Gallup.

In the aftermath of numerous nationwide protests, members of the United States Congress

sought to enact policies addressing racial justice with the federal recognition of Juneteenth

being one of them. The measure to federally recognize Juneteenth as a holiday passed in the

House with a 415-14 majority.

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed this Bill into effect thereby making Juneteenth a

federally recognized holiday. Since the inception of this Bill, millions of Americans now have the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth as all government offices and some private businesses cease activity on this day.

On the day of its signing, President Biden acknowledged the holiday’s historical significance

emphasizing that “all Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history.”

Despite its long path toward being recognized by the government and the general public,

Juneteenth has cemented itself as a significant part of United States History. As a representation of freedom and a reminder of the tainted history of slavery, Juneteenth serves as a reminder to all Americans of the progress made toward racial equality thus far as well as a time to reflect and push toward a more equitable society.