Juneteenth – a combination of ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’ – recognises the end of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, slavery was abolished both in law and in practice.
Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the freedom of all American people, and commemorate the history of African-American oppression and the historic practice of slavery.
Although slavery wouldn’t legally end in all states until December 1865, June 19 saw the 13th Amendment ratified and all slaves freed, leading to massive celebrations.
Is it a holiday?
Juneteenth is not a federal national holiday, but is observed in the following 45 states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and North Dakota are the only states that have not adopted Juneteenth as a state holiday
How is it celebrated?
In 1866, the first Juneteenth anniversary celebration happened.
Since then, celebrations in certain regions of the United States have continued the tradition of honouring the day.
In 1872, a group of former slaves raised $800 and purchased 10 acres of land in Houston, Texas, for the city’s annual Juneteenth celebrations, and named the space Emancipation Park, which is still used for Juneteenth celebrations.
In 1980, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday
Despite the lack of federal recognition, the holiday has lived on through rich traditions, including lively celebrations.
These take the form of festivals and parades with local bands playing, storytelling, picnics, and a Juneteenth staple — barbecues.
Traditionally, red drinks and red foods are a must at these barbecues, with red symbolising resilience.