June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, is an important date to come together and celebrate a monumental milestone towards the end of slavery in the United States. The formal end of slavery was marked by the passing of the 13th amendment¹ in the U.S. Constitution, however, we take this day to look back at the history and significance of the holiday, how we can celebrate, and how we can continue to support the dream of equality and fairness for all African American communities and those in the African diaspora around the world.

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks the second independence day for the United States. On September 22, 1862, President Lincoln issued a Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation stating that slaves in the states or parts of states still in rebellion in the Civil War as of January 1, 1863, would be declared free. Lincoln initially created the proclamation as a military tactic in the war to prevent the secession of the Southern states and preserve the Union, however the war quickly shifted focus to inspire “all blacks, and slaves in the Confederacy in particular, to support the Union cause and to keep England and France from giving political recognition and military aid to the Confederacy.”² The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery, but it did greatly transform the nature of the war and enabled black men to transform from liberated to the liberators by fighting in the Union Army and Navy.

The Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, however not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. “In the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as ‘Juneteenth,’ by the newly freed people in Texas.”³

Celebrating Juneteenth

There are various Juneteenth celebrations that are accessible online and hosted by organizations that share insight on how to be an advocate for the black community. Many public libraries, non-profits, and advocacy groups are celebrating the day virtually. We’ve included a couple of those events below:

“Juneteenth Black Family Reunion – The Music, The Moments, The Movement.” Watch a Livestream on YouTube powered by NAACP and Revolt as “we honor the lives we’ve lost this year, uplift our collective movement for civil rights, and remember the moments that make us proud to be Black.
Join the DC Public Library on Facebook Live on Friday, June 19 at noon for a Juneteenth Celebration. This virtual program will feature African drumming, spoken word and a presentation on how you can begin researching your ancestry and family history.  
   
The Downs-Jones Library & Archives present, “Juneteenth 2020: Growing Your Roots During a Global Pandemic Using Genealogy as a Progressive Tool” on Facebook. This event will feature a presentation by Kymberly Keeton, African American Community Archivist & Librarian, M.L.S., C.A. in the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
Juneteenth 2020: Stay Black and Live is a virtual Juneteenth festival based in Austin, TX. This year’s Juneteenth celebration emphasizes not only the timeless themes of freedom and perseverance, but also recognizes the unprecedented times we’re currently living through.  
   

How You Can Continue to be Involved

Honoring Juneteenth and recognizing the steps our nation has made towards equity are starting to enter the sphere of corporate America. As of 2020, 47 states officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or day of observance and several large companies have chosen to recognize Juneteenth as a paid day off. These actions are steps towards building a more equitable America, however a day of observation is just the start. For additional consideration, a couple of resources have been included to assist with tips on becoming an ally and advocating for safe and nondiscriminatory spaces for all.

¹The House Joint Resolution proposing the 13th amendment to the Constitution, January 31, 1865; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789-1999; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=40

²Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863; Presidential Proclamations, 1791-1991; Record Group 11; General Records of the United States Government; National Archives. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=34

³The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth, nmaahc.si.edu, Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth