What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a federal holiday to celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19. The holiday’s name is a combination of “June” and “nineteenth.” It refers to June 19, 1865. This was the day that Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.

Celebrations date back to 1866 and were centered in Texas. They spread across the South among newly freed African American slaves and their descendants. Juneteenth started out as church-centered community gatherings, but by the 1920s and 1930s, they had more of a celebratory feel that centered around food festivals.

The celebrations were overshadowed by the civil rights movement in the 1960s, but became more popular in the 1970s. They focused more on African American freedom and arts.

Interestingly enough, the day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. The 117th U.S. Congress enacted and President Joe Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day act.

It has been called “America’s second Independence Day,” often been celebrated on the third Saturday in June. On April 11, 2002, legislation was signed into law by then-Gov. Tom Vilsack establishing Juneteenth as an official day of recognition in Iowa to be observed on the third Saturday in June.

On March 23, 2015, the State Historical Society received deeded artifacts from past observances to make up a permanent museum exhibit.

Many places have Juneteenth activities planned. Check local listings, such as all events in Burlington (https://allevents.in/burlington-ia/all#) for more information.