In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill to designate June 19, or “Juneteenth,” as a federal holiday in the United States. On this day, federal employees (as well as The University of Texas at Austin staff) have the day off to honor and commemorate the significance of Juneteenth.
What exactly is Juneteenth, and why do we mark its importance in the U.S.? This holiday’s roots can be traced back to the conclusion of the U.S. Civil War.
The Story of Juneteenth
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, on June 19, 1865, U.S. Union troops reached Galveston, Texas. Their arrival brought the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln had issued more than two years earlier, freeing all slaves in the Confederate states. However, this declaration hadn’t reached the enslaved people in Texas until then.
With the Union troops’ arrival, the proclamation of freedom could finally be enforced in the state. But it would take passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on December 6, 1865, to officially end slavery in all states within the U.S.
Juneteenth Today
Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day,” marks our nation’s second Independence Day, symbolizing the declaration of freedom for all Americans. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the U.S. as a day of freedom and hope.
According to Angela Tate, Curator of African American Women’s History at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC):
“Juneteenth is a time to reflect. What does it mean to really celebrate our freedom? What does it mean to be free in moments where freedom is conditional and freedom is always a challenge? Juneteenth is a moment to think about freedom being conditional freedom, and it is something that we must continuously strive and fight for.”
Juneteenth in Texas
Although Texas was late getting the news originally, the state is now a leader in commemorating this significant date. In 1872, Houston was the first city in the nation to establish an Emancipation Park Conservancy. At this location, four previously enslaved men officially purchased the land to develop grounds where people could gather to celebrate Juneteenth. In Austin, commemorations of Juneteenth can be traced back as early as 1900.
Photo credit: Austin History Center
Upcoming Juneteenth Celebrations in Austin, Texas
Join the Austin community in celebrating Juneteenth on Saturday, June 15, at the Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival, beginning at 10 a.m. in Rosewood Park, located at 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, TX 78702.
To learn more about Juneteenth, visit the NMAAHC Juneteenth page.
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