Juneteenth: A New Federal Holiday Commemorating the End of Slavery
Juneteenth: A Day of Freedom and Liberation
On June 19, the United States celebrated its newest federal holiday, Juneteenth. This holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, and it is a day that should be recognized by all Americans.
Juneteenth: A History
Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in the city and announced that the enslaved people of Texas were now free. This news came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which had declared all slaves in the United States to be free. However, it took some time for the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas, and many enslaved people were not aware that they were free until Granger's arrival.
Juneteenth has been celebrated annually in Texas since 1866, and it became a state holiday in 1980. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, and on June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill into law establishing June 19 as a federal holiday.
The Significance of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is more than just a day off from work or school. It is a day to reflect on the history of slavery in the United States and to celebrate the freedom that was hard-won by enslaved people. It is also a day to recommit ourselves to fighting for racial justice and equality.
Juneteenth is a day for all Americans to celebrate. It is a day to learn about the history of slavery in the United States and to celebrate the freedom that we all enjoy today.
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