Juneteenth (June 19th) is an official annual holiday to celebrate the legal end of slavery in the US. After many recent racially motivated attacks, this seems like a sigh of relief for many. On June 19, 1865, American troops arrived in Texas and informed enslaved people that the civil war had ended and slavery had been abolished. This marked June 19th as the official end of slavery. This day is an amazing opportunity to encourage reconciliation between African American people and others of society, and it’s a big step towards appreciating their culture and history.Â
Although it has been celebrated for centuries since the abolition, it has recently gotten more attention because of the injustice African Americans are facing. People celebrate this holiday in different ways. Some people pray and visit their families, others hold parties in their backyard, and some larger cities like Atlanta and Washington hold large events like parades and festivals.
Although many people in the past have tried to make this a national holiday in America, they were unsuccessful. This year marks the official recognition of the troubles African Americans faced and continue to face, with Juneteenth being known as the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government on June 17, 2021! This important step towards reconciliation means everyone gets a paid day off to celebrate and reunite with family.
So next time June 19 rolls around, be sure to celebrate with your friends!Â
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.
– Maya Angelou
