Juneteenth marks the day that slavery ended in Texas.
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated in the United States on June 19th. The day commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, which was the last state to abolish slavery. It is observed by many African Americans as a day of remembrance and celebration of freedom. Juneteenth was first recognized as a state holiday in Texas on June 19th, 1980. It became an official national holiday on June 9th, 1998. However, Juneteenth celebrations have been held since 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston and told the slaves they were free.
This year’s Juneteenth celebrations will be especially important for African Americans and those who care about civil rights issues because they come at a time when race relations are at their worst.
What does Juneteenth mean?
The name “Juneteenth” is said to be derived from two words: “June” and “Nineteenth”. The word “June” refers to the month that marks its date (June 19th), while “nineteen” refers to the nineteenth year of American Independence (1865). There are other theories as to where it got its name but this is considered to be one of the most widely accepted explanations.
