by June 19th is the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day. Officially proclaimed a federal holiday in June 2021, it commemorates when previously enslaved people in the U.S. were notified of their emancipation and freedom from forced labor.
Some communities have celebrated Juneteenth, also known as “Jubilee Day,” for many years. The annual celebration was unknown in other places until states began official observance of the date in the early 1980s. Official state recognition of the holiday began in 1980 when Texas officially made it a state observance. The Texas recognition is significant because the celebration date goes back to June 19, 1865, when the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, were notified of their emancipation. By 2021, 49 states had formally recognized it as an official observance.
Communities celebrate the holiday in different ways, all focusing on African-American culture. Among the cities hosting major Juneteenth celebrations that reflect the unique nature of their own communities are:
Memphis, Tennessee–Memphis Juneteenth Festival: Continuing the tradition of annual celebration started twenty years ago, Memphis will celebrate with a two-day festival of music, art, and food.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–Juneteenth Music Festival: Boasting the largest Juneteenth celebration in the nation, Philadelphia will celebrate with a parade, marketplace, and music.
Fort Wayne, Indiana—Macknificent Freedom Fest: The celebration in Fort Wayne will begin with a symbolic freedom march, followed by live music and family activities.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin—52nd Juneteenth Street Festival: Holding the record for the longest consecutively held Juneteenth celebration, Milwaukee will honor the holiday with a pageant, televised parade, and festival.
For more information on Juneteenth and ways to celebrate the holiday, check out the website, https://www.juneteenth.com.
