Photo credit—Oladimeji Odunsi
Who would’ve thought that a delayed message of freedom would one day inspire one of the most powerful and culturally rich holidays in America?
Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Black Independence Day, is commemorated every June 19th to honor the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received news of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.
Some stories are better carried than merely told—hand to hand, heart to heart, year to year. Juneteenth is one of those stories, so here’s a quick backstory.
Although President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states free, enforcement depended heavily on the advance of Union troops. Texas, the most remote of the slave states, saw little Union presence during the Civil War, making it a safe haven for slaveholders. It wasn’t until Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865, with Union soldiers and issued General Order No. 3 that the enslaved Black people in Texas learned they were legally free.
What followed was both emotional and revolutionary: celebrations of freedom, tearful reunions, and the birth of a tradition. The following year, formerly enslaved people in Texas organized the first of what would become the annual Juneteenth Jubilee.
Despite facing segregation, Jim Crow laws, and social backlash, Black communities across the South and later across the nation continued to commemorate Juneteenth in whatever ways they could—church picnics, prayer meetings, family barbecues, parades, storytelling, and music. For decades, the holiday was mostly recognized in Black communities until momentum around racial justice in the 21st century began to push Juneteenth into the national consciousness.
Modern-day Juneteenth events range from citywide festivals, educational forums, art exhibitions, and historical reenactments to smaller family gatherings, freedom walks, and community fundraisers. In cities like Houston, Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Washington, D.C., Juneteenth has become an intergenerational celebration where Black excellence and joy take center stage, complete with African drumming, dance performances, Black-owned business showcases, and panels on civil rights, education, and entrepreneurship.
In 2025, Juneteenth falls on Thursday, and this year’s commemoration is anchored by the theme: “A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future.” Across the United States, communities are engaging in events that delve into the intertwined narratives of Black and white histories, challenging sanitized versions of America’s past. These programs aim to confront the complexities of history, including the legacies of slavery and the contributions of Black individuals whose stories have often been marginalized.
From rooftop parties in New York to cookoffs and business exhibitions in Atlanta, and poetry shows and jazz nights in Galveston, Juneteenth celebrations across the country offer spaces for joy, creativity, and community. Grab your tickets and explore more on Eventbrite.
