Juneteenth, a special day, is when we remember something important in American history. It's a day when we think about how everyone in the United States should be free. We also talk about the idea of "race" and how it has caused unfair treatment for Black Americans and some Latinos.

What Exactly Is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, a momentous occasion written in American history, is often hailed as "Emancipation Day" or "Freedom Day." In commemorating the long-overdue end of the shameful era of slavery in the United States, we stand witness to a profoundly moving tribute. President Abraham Lincoln's official proclamation, marking the abolition of slavery on January 1, 1863, serves as a historical milestone. However, it is disheartening to acknowledge that it took more than two years for this momentous news to spread widely across the nation, emphasizing the gravity of this pivotal transition.

On the auspicious juncture of June 19, 1865, the resolute Union General Gordon Granger solemnly pronounced the emancipation of every beleaguered soul held in the shackles of bondage within the precincts of Galveston, Texas. This historic juncture crystallized into a focal point of jubilant festivities, featuring solemn prayers, recitations of the Emancipation Proclamation, captivating narratives, culinary indulgence in traditional fare, exuberant dances, and the emblematic crimson-hued effervescent elixir. For some, this red elixir serves as a poignant reminder of the torment endured during the bleak epoch of slavery, while others draw parallels to elixirs of distinction in the landscapes of West Africa.

Nonetheless, despite the formal abolition of slavery, the elusive specter of true equality remained an ardently pursued, albeit distant, beacon. It would demand the relentless march of nearly 90 additional years and the epoch-defining Civil Rights Movement to confront the deeply entrenched vestiges of segregation. 
It was not until the year 1980 that the state of Texas, with an astute nod to historical significance, dignified Juneteenth by bestowing upon it the sanctity of a state-sanctioned holiday. Fast forward to the historic juncture of June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden, in an act of profound national acknowledgment, enshrined Juneteenth as the eleventh federal holiday in the illustrious history of the United States.

Beginning of Juneteenth

The genesis of Juneteenth finds its inextricable roots interwoven with the cataclysmic tapestry of the American Civil War, a momentous chapter often heralded as the "Second American Revolution." Unfolding its ominous wings in the fateful year of 1861, this harrowing conflict germinated from the acrimonious schism between the northern and southern states, the epicenter of discord being the contentious issues of slavery and the dynamics of power. The year 1862 witnessed the hallowed corridors of the U.S. Congress echoing with the resonant voice of legislative change, bestowing Union forces with the authority to lay claim to the possessions of their Confederate adversaries, which, chillingly, included the lives of enslaved individuals.

This seminal legislation also extended an unprecedented invitation to Black compatriots to enlist in the hallowed ranks of the Union Army. Then, with the dawning of January 1, 1863, President Lincoln, wielding the weight of executive authority, issued forth the Emancipation Proclamation, a historic missive decreeing the irrevocable freedom of "all persons held as slaves ... are, and henceforth, shall be free."

While this epoch-defining proclamation did succeed in emancipating multitudes ensnared in the insidious web of slavery across the sweltering expanses of Confederate territory, its benevolent purview did not extend its protective aegis over the Union-loyal Border States, such as Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and Kentucky. These enclaves, Sympatico to the Confederate cause, were, by deliberate design, conspicuously excluded from the purview of the proclamation, a strategic ploy to preclude any secessionist predilections.

In April of the year 1864, the August Senate endeavored to mend this crevice in the fabric of liberation by ratifying the 13th Amendment, a legislative masterpiece that unequivocally proscribed the blight of slavery and the abhorrent specter of involuntary servitude across the entire gamut of states, irrespective of their Union or Confederate affiliation. However, it was not until the closing embers of December 1865 that the Amendment, with its transformative potency, was ultimately ensconced in the pantheon of ratified legal instruments, marking a resounding verdict of emancipation for the shackled multitude.

Crucially, it must be emphasized that the sacred Rubicon of the Amendment's ratification was traversed after the cessation of hostilities in the hallowed crucible of the Civil War, which occurred in April 1865, following the capitulation of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, Virginia. In the expansive terrain of Texas, the edict of emancipation remained an elusive whisper until the temporal embrace of June 19, 1865, when the dauntless Major General Gordon Granger alighted upon the precincts of Galveston and solemnly promulgated General Order No. 3, bequeathing the cherished gift of liberty.

Notwithstanding this imperious decree, the hallowed breath of liberty did not waft instantaneously into the lives of the quarter of a million beleaguered souls in Texas. Numerous proprietors of plantations harbored a reluctant resolve to disseminate the tidings of emancipation, at times postponing the momentous revelation until the conclusion of the harvest season. For these landowners, the process of emancipation unfolded as a gradual metamorphosis, the culmination of a century-long travail, spearheaded by impassioned abolitionists on both sides of the schismatic divide. Even in the aftermath of liberation, many continued to be relegated to the ignominious status of chattel, predominantly destined for toil and the machinery of production.

Present Context for Juneteenth

Juneteenth, known by various names such as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Black Independence Day, has evolved. Historically, it faced competition from other freedom-related holidays and remained relatively obscure. However, this changed in 2020 when widespread protests for racial justice coincided with the day. In response to the growing recognition of Juneteenth, many companies pledged to actively oppose racism and officially recognized the day as a company holiday. Several cities, including Philadelphia, designated Juneteenth as an official city holiday, acknowledging the need to address racial inequalities.

Why We Celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is not just a celebration of African-American history; it also encompasses the history of Afro-Latinx individuals. Slavery as an economic and social institution began in Latin America even earlier than in the United States, with the forced transport of African-origin enslaved people in the 16th century.

Haiti stands out as a remarkable example, abolishing slavery following a 13-year revolt against French colonizers that culminated in 1804. This achievement made Haiti the world's first Black republic. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, every nation in the Americas officially abolished slavery, often after gaining independence.

The United States, however, was among the last nations to abolish slavery, achieving this milestone in 1865. During this period, many enslaved individuals were forcibly brought from the Caribbean and South America to the United States. The Black community, whether African American or Afro-Latinx, faced similar unfair treatment and discrimination.

Juneteenth serves as a national holiday that aligns with Independence Day, signifying freedom for all and prompting contemplation of crucial social issues such as "race" that continue to perpetuate inequalities faced by Latino individuals.

What Makes Juneteenth Special?

Juneteenth stands as a momentous occasion, inviting the entire nation to congregate and explore the historical tapestry woven by Black communities in the United States and Latin America. Let us embark on this enlightening journey of unity! By acknowledging the turbulent historical annals of the United States, we not only gain insight into contemporary and future challenges but also endow communities with narratives that inspire transformation. Below, you will uncover a compendium to initiate your exploration, replete with resources that unveil the historical underpinnings of this national commemoration and the vibrant tapestry of Black culture in the United States and Latin America.

The Juneteenth Legacy Project aspires to bestow eminence upon the significance of June 19th in American history, concurrently lending support to Opal Lee, a fervent activist and educator, in her mission to establish Juneteenth as a nationally recognized holiday. In the year 2021, this endeavor metamorphosed public spaces, unveiling a sprawling 5,000-square-foot artistic mural at the precise location where General Order No. 3 was promulgated by General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas.

Crafted by the talented artist Reginald Adams, this mural pays homage to historical luminaries such as Estevanico (the first African to traverse North America in the 1500s), Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, and Gen. Gordon Granger, all ensconced within the embrace of local landmarks. Such undertakings assume paramount significance, for they serve as vessels for disseminating the American narrative and, in the eloquent words of its creator, Reginald Adams, "foster novel opportunities for dialogues on social equity and racial justice."

• PBS Juneteenth Extravaganza

The Juneteenth Jamboree, a localized public television program presented by Austin PBS, offers an enthralling anthology of online episodes that delve into the historical roots of this occasion and celebrate the kaleidoscope of Black culture and artistic expression. PBS further extends its benevolence through the Black Culture Connection, a comprehensive compendium of their content, elucidating and entertaining in equal measure, about the Black experience.

• NPR – Recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation

Immerse yourself in the resonant voices of NPR's dedicated staff members as they recite the Emancipation Proclamation in honor of June 19th, with the accompanying text provided for your perusal. Presently, you have the privilege to view, download, and disseminate artifacts from the esteemed collection of the NMAAHC, generously granted for public use under the aegis of a Creative Commons license. A treasure trove awaits, ripe for exploration, categorized by thematic relevance, provenance, creator, typology, and geographical origin.

• Mesmerizing Aretha Franklin in "Amazing Grace"

This awe-inspiring concert, captured in 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, features the incomparable Aretha Franklin, a vocal virtuoso of unparalleled distinction. She renders soul-stirring renditions of Clara Ward's "How I Got Over" and John Newton's "Amazing Grace," invoking a spiritual rhapsody that moves the audience to tears. This performance underscores the profound significance of gospel music within the African-American community in the United States.

• Homecoming: A Cinematic Spectacle by Beyoncé

In this cinematic masterpiece from 2019, Beyoncé delivers a spellbinding performance at the 2018 Coachella music festival. As per The New Yorker's assessment, this film imparts profound insights into the modes of expression among Black individuals. Variety, in its critique, likens it to Beyoncé's jubilant tribute to the experience of attending a historically Black college.

• Watermelon and Crimson Birds

The culinary traditions and the act of sharing sustenance represent quintessential facets of any culture, serving as custodians of cherished moments and customs. "Watermelon and Crimson Birds" stands as the pioneering literary work celebrating Juneteenth. Penned by esteemed food writer Nicole A. Taylor, it compiles an array of recipes borne from her own experiences commemorating this historic occasion throughout the years.

• PBS Chronicles the Black Experience in Latin America

This four-part series, dating back to 2014 and conceived by the erudite Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., embarks on a riveting odyssey to unravel the profound influence of millions of individuals with African lineage on the intricate annals and the diverse cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. Much like its namesake book, Professor Gates' series elucidates this captivating historical narrative.