Juneteenth 2021
Juneteenth, named for June Nineteenth, celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. It marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 on which freedom from slavery was announced in Galveston, Texas—more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
According to historical website Juneteenth.com, Juneteenth is “the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.” Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021. Ohio has observed “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” since 2009, and some legislators are pushing for it to become a paid state holiday.
Today, the central message of Juneteenth includes “the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.” To that end, celebrations often include songs that have deep roots in African American tradition such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as well as public readings of works by prominent African-American writers such as Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes, among many others. Local celebrations also often include traditions including barbecues, parades, street fairs, and more.
Below, watch a video of singer Rochelle Rice, provided by the National Museum of African American History & Culture, performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the “Black National Anthem.”
This year, for the first time, US Together will formally recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday, observed Friday, June 18. This is part of our commitment to realize the American promise of respect, dignity, and liberty of our Black colleagues, supporters, partners, clients, and beneficiaries. We encourage our employees and followers to use this day of observation, as well as June 19, to recognize the end of slavery and to celebrate the culture and achievements of African Americans.
More Resources
Juneteenth can be an opportunity for all to learn more about African American history and culture. In preparing this post, we grew our own understanding and awareness from the sources below. We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the authors who have taken the time to create these resources.
“Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience” | National Museum of African American History & Culture
This webpage includes numerous resources including a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” deep research into the historical significance of Juneteenth, research methods for African American family history/ancestry, records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and much more.
“African American Heritage” | National Archives
The National Archives has pages and pages of well-documented articles on African American history, including subject portals on Black Power, Voting Rights, and World War I. The Archives also have many primary sources, including original photos from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the March on Washington.
Brianna Holt shares her personal experience celebrating Juneteenth as she grew up in Texas, as well as how she has seen it change as protests and advocacy have grown in recent years.
“Attending a Juneteenth celebration was freeing: I had the freedom to wear my hair however I wanted without judgment, to dress however I wanted without comments and to express myself without microaggressions. All of these freedoms granted to me as a child have molded me into the proud black woman I am now. It’s the one day each year that I’ve been able to exist, unapologetically and unproblematically, in a space surrounded by people who have my growth in their best interest.”
“Ohio Lawmakers Seek to Make Juneteenth a Paid State Holiday” | Cleveland.com
This article covers the bipartisan effort to make June 19 a paid state holiday in Ohio.