Juneteenth: What Is It and Why Is It a Holiday?

June 15, 2023

Juneteenth is a term that has been recognized in some communities in the United States since 1865 but has become more widely understood and celebrated in recent years. It became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. Do you know the history of Juneteenth?

Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, enslaved people in some Confederate states, including Texas, were not free until two years later. On June 19, 1865, the Union Army went to Galveston Bay, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War, enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, and finally free more than 250,000 enslaved people. The newly freed people in Texas named that day “Juneteenth.”

Juneteenth was first celebrated by Texans in 1866, and as families emigrated across the country, they brought their traditions with them. Today, there are celebrations across the country to commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed they were free. From parades and festivals to cookouts and musical performances, many African American and Black communities have created various traditions to come together in remembrance and celebration to acknowledge our country’s history, progress that has been made, and progress that is yet to be seen.

This year, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday in Minnesota. Although the law goes into effect Aug. 1, 2023, a provision in the bill requires the day to be observed this year. This means cities will need to adjust their schedules to recognize June 19 as a holiday.

How are cities observing the holiday? Here are a few examples:

Visit the links below for more information on Juneteenth celebrations around the state:

Visit the links below for more information on the history of Juneteenth: