Karmactive Staff
This Thursday, June 19, millions of Americans will observe Juneteenth, marking 160 years since enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with 2,000 troops and announced freedom for over 250,000 enslaved Black people – two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
“I don’t think anyone should be intimidated or obligated into not celebrating the day,” said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. “I think it would be absolutely reprehensible.”
Juneteenth falls during a period of political tension. The current administration has banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal government, removed Black American history content from federal websites, and discouraged some agencies from recognizing racial heritage celebrations.
The White House press office stated that plans for a Juneteenth event or proclamation this year “have not been decided.” This contrasts with last year, when a celebratory concert was held on the South Lawn featuring Vice President Kamala Harris dancing on stage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Dr. David Anderson, pastor and CEO of Gracism Global, notes that many Americans only recently learned about the holiday. “I think many folks haven’t known about it – who are even my color as an African American male. Even if you heard about it and knew about it, you didn’t celebrate it,” Anderson said. “It was like just a part of history. It wasn’t a celebration of history.”
The path to federal recognition was long. Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth a holiday in 1980. By 2021, when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, all 50 states recognized it in some form. Washington state made it a paid state holiday the same year, with the law taking effect July 25, 2021.
The holiday’s name combines “June” and “nineteenth,” as explained by museum specialist Kelly Navies: “June + 19 = Juneteenth.”
Federal offices, including post offices, will close for the holiday. No regular mail will be delivered, though Priority Mail Express remains available. Major banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Capital One will close their branches. The stock market will also shut down.
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Shipping companies UPS and FedEx will maintain their regular pickup and delivery schedules, according to their company websites. Consumers will still find most shops and dining establishments open, with potential schedule adjustments at some locations. Government workers in more than half the states receive the day as paid time off, as 28 states plus Washington D.C. have formally adopted Juneteenth as a state holiday.
Family reunions and communal meals stand at the center of many Juneteenth observances. The color red features prominently in traditional foods served, from grilled meats to crimson beverages and desserts, symbolizing the resilience and sacrifices made by those who were enslaved.
The largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington state will be “Juneteenth: A Road to Economic Freedom” in Tacoma, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Stewart Heights Park. Organizers expect to match or exceed last year’s attendance of 12,000-14,000 people.
Seattle’s Northwest African American Museum will host “Juneteenth: A Movement for Joy” featuring art exhibitions, community conversations, and physical activities. In Olympia, the Women of Color in Leadership Movement will present the city’s annual celebration on Saturday, June 21.
The holiday has grown beyond its historical roots to address ongoing issues of racial justice and equity. Some celebrations now incorporate voter registration drives and educational components focusing on current civil rights challenges.
“The most important thing everyone should do is be able to quickly answer the question ‘What is Juneteenth?'” Morial advised.
For people wondering how to appropriately mark the holiday, Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University, encourages participation regardless of background. Brown emphasized that Juneteenth represents a shared American history that belongs to everyone, encompassing the complex journey toward freedom and equality under constitutional law.
Morial noted that with fewer Juneteenth merchandise displays in physical stores this year, he recommends consumers seek out Black-owned businesses online when purchasing holiday-related items.
As for greetings, comedian Alan Freeman, who organizes Juneteenth events in Texas, says it’s simple: “You know how at Christmas people will say ‘Merry Christmas’ to each other and not even know each other? You can get a ‘Merry Christmas’ from everybody. This is the same way.” A simple “Happy Juneteenth” or “Happy Teenth” is appropriate.
