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Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

A Portmanteau of June and Nineteenth, Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates the day that Federal Troops took control of Galveston, TX and informed the enslaved there that they were free. Though this event took place two and a half years after they were formally freed by the signing of the  Emancipation Proclamation, slaves were not informed by their masters in order to gain illegal as well as immoral labor from them.   Once the freed slaves heard the news many left to seek opportunities in the north or look for family in neighboring states but all slaves rejoiced. 


Celebrations and commemorations began the next year in 1866. “Jubilee Day,” as Juneteenth was known then, focused on community celebrations in church and political rallies for enfranchisement.  As many freedmen were barred from public and segregated places such as parks, Black Americans had to purchase their own land in order to celebrate. Houston’s Emancipation Park is one such location. By 1890 Juneteeth had found the name we know it as and spread in popularity across the south. 


As time went on, cultural and economic forces caused Juneteenth to become less popular and harder to celebrate. Black Americans found it hard to get the day off and most Americans were not taught the history of how and when the last slaves in America were freed. However, the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s allowed for a resurgence in popularity in celebrations. Events like the Poor People's March inspired many Americans to celebrate Juneteenth in places that never celebrated before such as two large celebrations in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.  Today 47 states celebrate Juneteenth as a state holiday and there is significant push to make it a federal holiday. 


Delaware first officially recognized Juneteenth in 2000. Today’s celebrations of Juneteenth range from rodeos to cookouts to lectures on or displays of African American Art and Culture. Last year marked the triumphant return of a 25 year old festival to Christina Park in Wilmington. This year the following celebrations and observances are planned.  

If you'd like to learn more about Juneteenth, here are some resources:
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