In the eyes of many YHS students, June 20th is an oasis amidst the stressful finals weeks; it is a perfect time to take a breather and prepare for the final days of school. However, June 20th is more than just a day off from exams: it is also an important day to reflect on the legacy of slavery in the US.
Juneteenth is usually celebrated on June 19th, but since that date lands on a Sunday this year, it will be observed on June 20th. This newly appointed federal holiday commemorates the emancipation of 250,000 Black slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865. On this day, Union general Gordon Granger and his troops landed in Galveston, Texas to announce the news that the Civil War had ended and that all the enslaved people were now free. His command, General Order Number 3, read, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Over two years prior to this event, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation technically but not effectively emancipated all enslaved people in the US. In particular, it did not go into effect in Texas, since Union soldiers were needed to enforce the order but not enough were sent to do so. The pronouncement of General Order Number 3 effectively ended slavery in the US, as it showed that emancipation had reached the deepest parts of the Confederacy, that being Texas. Although slaveholders tried to hide the news from their former slaves, the newly made freedmen soon got word and began to celebrate in jubilation with feasts, music, and dancing. Since then, Juneteenth, also known as “Jubilee Day,” has been celebrated annually and has spread to other parts of the US. Last year, President Joe Biden officially made Juneteenth a federal holiday, leading to the national recognition of this significant date.
While discrimination towards Black people persisted after the emancipation of slaves and equality has continued to face setbacks, Americans have still made progress in the last two centuries. Making Juneteenth a federal holiday was a step in the right direction. No nation is perfect and no nation will ever be perfect. Realizing our past mistakes is the first step in moving forward as a nation. By honoring Juneteenth, we remind ourselves of the horrors of slavery and remember that gaining perspective and spreading awareness of this history will make us a stronger nation.
Let Juneteenth be not only a day for last-minute studying, but also a day to step back and try to empathize with those affected by slavery so we can unite to achieve a greater level of equality in the US.
