On Thursday June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth an official federal holiday, which will be celebrated every year on the 19th of June. Many federal employees began observing Juneteenth yesterday since it fell on a Saturday this year. You may have heard the term before, but what is Juneteenth and why is it important to the U.S.?

A Brief History of Juneteenth

Let us go back to the 1860s when the Civil War was raging. The North and the South were in fierce battle with one another. During this time, America had millions of slaves working in various places in the North and the South. President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In this address, Lincoln announced that all slaves in the Confederate states were officially free.

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.    -Abraham Lincoln

It has been the discussion of much debate whether Lincoln could even make such a decree, and what it actually accomplished, but the proclamation served its purpose. The Union Army plunged deeper into the South, freeing slaves as they went...many of whom joined the Union Army.

Two years passed, and Texas had not received word of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19, 1865, Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and found that the slaves there had not been freed.  When hearing the news of their emancipation, the slaves reportedly rejoiced and began to celebrate with dancing, prayer, and feasting.

On June 19, 1866, the very first Juneteenth celebrations occurred in Texas. The first observance included celebratory activities such as the singing of spirituals, dressing in new clothes to symbolize their new freedom, and prayer. As years went by, other states began their own celebrations as well.

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, became a state holiday in Texas in 1980, followed by other states years later. June 19th is also celebrated as the end of slavery in countries outside of the United States.

New Legislation

On Tuesday June 15th, 2021 the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which suggested that the 19th of June be established as a legal public holiday. The bill was reintroduced to the floor by Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. It received overwhelming approval in the House and was signed by President Biden this Thursday.

Juneteenth is recognized or observed as a holiday in 48 states and the District of Columbia. South Dakota and Hawaii do not currently have state level recognition. Hawaii has legislation on the books, but it has not been signed into law yet.

Juneteenth is the country's newest national holiday, following the 10 national holidays that were already codified.  Major cities like New York City, St. Louis, Chicago, Miami, and others are already hosting events to commemorate the holiday. Official celebrations will not begin until 2022.