Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday's name is a blending of the the words "June" and "nineteenth", because it was on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Although this date commemorates enslaved people learning of their freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation, this only applied to former Confederate states. There remained legally enslaved people in states that never seceded from the Union. These people did not gain their freedom until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 6, 1865.
On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln announced that the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect on January 1, 1863, promising freedom to enslaved people in all of the Southern states that seceded from the Union including Texas. Enforcement of the Proclamation generally relied upon the advance of Union troops. Texas, as the most remote state of the former Confederacy, had seen an expansion of slavery because the presence of Union troops was low as the Civil War
ended. It was June 19, 1865 was 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation with into effect and 71 days after after Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union on April 9, 1865, and 24 days after the disbanding of the Confederate military department which covered Texas on May 26, 1865.
Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South among newly freed African American slaves and their descendants and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. As African American moved to other parts of the country they brought these celebrations to the rest of the country. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, these Juneteenth celebrations took a "back seat" to the efforts to achieve civil rights, in education, employment, and other areas of life in the United States, but grew in popularity again in the 1970s with a focus on African-American freedom and African-American arts. Beginning with Texas by proclamation in 1938, and by legislation in 1979, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia has formally recognized the holiday in some way.
The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
Juneteenth is considered the "longest-running African-American holiday" and has been called "America's second Independence Day."
On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln announced that the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect on January 1, 1863, promising freedom to enslaved people in all of the Southern states that seceded from the Union including Texas. Enforcement of the Proclamation generally relied upon the advance of Union troops. Texas, as the most remote state of the former Confederacy, had seen an expansion of slavery because the presence of Union troops was low as the Civil War
ended. It was June 19, 1865 was 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation with into effect and 71 days after after Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union on April 9, 1865, and 24 days after the disbanding of the Confederate military department which covered Texas on May 26, 1865.
Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. They spread across the South among newly freed African American slaves and their descendants and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. As African American moved to other parts of the country they brought these celebrations to the rest of the country. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, these Juneteenth celebrations took a "back seat" to the efforts to achieve civil rights, in education, employment, and other areas of life in the United States, but grew in popularity again in the 1970s with a focus on African-American freedom and African-American arts. Beginning with Texas by proclamation in 1938, and by legislation in 1979, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia has formally recognized the holiday in some way.
The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
Juneteenth is considered the "longest-running African-American holiday" and has been called "America's second Independence Day."
Juneteenth from a Christian Perspective
From a Christian perspective, Juneteenth can be a significant and meaningful occasion. Here's why:
Galatians 3:28 NIV There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Juneteenth can be a time to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and commit to working for racial equality today.
John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Juneteenth can be a time for Christians to reflect on the history of racial injustice and commit to working towards racial reconciliation. This could involve educating oneself about the past, advocating for equality, and promoting understanding between different groups. Juneteenth can be a time to reflect on how God calls us to love.
Matthew 22:37-40 NIV 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Juneteenth can be a celebration of freedom and liberation, and a reminder that God cares for the oppressed and abused. It can also be a time to reflect on how society still falls short of ideals of freedom and equality. Christians can celebrate Juneteenth as a win for those who love the Lord and value peace. It can be a time to rejoice when God reverses the downward trajectory of sin and grants mercy to the afflicted.
Juneteenth can be a reminder of God's compassion and action to deliver and restore.
Juneteenth itself offers a chance for Christians to reflect on important Biblical themes and teach them to others.
From a Christian perspective, Juneteenth can be a significant and meaningful occasion. Here's why:
- Freedom and Equality: The Bible emphasizes freedom and equality for all people.
Galatians 3:28 NIV There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Acknowledgement of Injustice: Slavery is a horrific injustice. Christians believe all people are created equal in God's image.
Genesis 1:27 NIV So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Juneteenth can be a time to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and commit to working for racial equality today.
- Celebration of Freedom: The Bible emphasizes freedom throughout, from the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt to the concept of spiritual freedom from sin. Christians can celebrate Juneteenth as a victory for freedom, a core value.
John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- Justice: The Bible calls for justice for the oppressed. Recognizing the injustice of slavery and celebrating its end aligns with Christian values.
Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- Reconciliation:
Juneteenth can be a time for Christians to reflect on the history of racial injustice and commit to working towards racial reconciliation. This could involve educating oneself about the past, advocating for equality, and promoting understanding between different groups. Juneteenth can be a time to reflect on how God calls us to love.
Matthew 22:37-40 NIV 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Juneteenth can be a celebration of freedom and liberation, and a reminder that God cares for the oppressed and abused. It can also be a time to reflect on how society still falls short of ideals of freedom and equality. Christians can celebrate Juneteenth as a win for those who love the Lord and value peace. It can be a time to rejoice when God reverses the downward trajectory of sin and grants mercy to the afflicted.
Juneteenth can be a reminder of God's compassion and action to deliver and restore.
Juneteenth itself offers a chance for Christians to reflect on important Biblical themes and teach them to others.
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