Juneteenth was officially made a public holiday in June 17, when U.S. President Joe Biden signed it into law. Now, we take a look at Juneteenth’s history and take you to different parts of the United States to see how Americans are celebrating Juneteenth.
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It dates to June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were free. People celebrated that occasion right away, which marked the end of slavery in America. This came on the heels of the Civil war and over two years after then President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which was intended to free all slaves living in Confederate states.
The signing ceremony, which took place on June 17 this year, came at a time when America is in a period of racial reckoning.
U.S. President Joe Biden earlier described Juneteenth as a day with profound weight and power.
U.S. President Joe Biden:
This is a day of profound — in my view — profound weight and profound power. A day in which we remember the moral stain, the terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take.
Voiceover:
Saturday was the first Juneteenth as a federal holiday in America, just two days after Biden signed it into law. Sure enough, commemorative events were held across the United States to observe the end of slavery.
“In commemoration of the now National Holiday, Juneteenth – the day of freedom.”
Feelings ran high in the United States as celebrations across the nation sparked cheers and jubilation. Meantime, it also prompted quieter reflections about racial justice, as many Americans vowed to stop at nothing to help heal the divided country.
Impromptu celebrations were seen all across the country.
And Americans’ joy was palpable.
In Galveston, members of the Texas Dance and Divas paraded through the streets.
In New York, marchers went on the Brooklyn Bridge, calling for racial equality.
In Kentucky.
Milan Bush, the organiser of the midway Juneteenth festival:
Joy that we are not just thinking about the event of ending enslaved people’s lives, but we’re also thinking about the joy that brings the returning to who they are and just being able to recognise black people.
Voiceover:
Speaking of enacting laws that pertain to racial equality, there is word the Biden administration should get going to protect Americans’ human rights. Many Americans believe the divided America will be on the mend soon, as long as the Biden administration is willing to enact anti-racism laws.
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