What do we celebrate on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth Marks 161 Years Since Slavery's Legal End in the United States

This year marks the sixth anniversary of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and 161 years since the announcement that ended chattel slavery in Texas. The June 19, 1865, event in Galveston has been observed in various forms since the 19th century, though public awareness and interpretations have varied.

General Order No. 3, issued by Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, stated that “all slaves are free” and outlined that freed people would remain at their present homes, work for wages, and that employers must pay for labor. Historical records indicate the order was posted publicly in Galveston. Accounts differ on whether Granger read it aloud to assembled crowds or whether notices were distributed. Many enslaved people in Texas had already learned of the Emancipation Proclamation through informal networks, though enforcement of freedom occurred unevenly and some slaveholders resisted compliance.

Juneteenth received federal recognition in 2021. Prior to that, Texas became the first state to designate it a state holiday in 1980 following legislation by Democratic state Rep. Al Edwards and approval by Republican Gov. Bill Clements. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued statements recognizing the day in multiple years, including 2025.

Interpretations of the holiday’s significance differ. Some describe it as part of a national narrative of emancipation following the Civil War. Others emphasize the agency, skills, and community structures developed by enslaved people. Discussions have also addressed whether the day should be viewed as a shared national observance or one tied more closely to specific historical experiences.

Public knowledge of the holiday’s details remains uneven. Surveys have indicated that many Americans associate Juneteenth primarily with the Emancipation Proclamation issued in 1863 rather than the 1865 Texas announcement. Specific poll figures on awareness levels by demographic group have not been consistently verified across multiple sources.

Media portrayals of slavery and emancipation have frequently included recurring elements: depictions of limited knowledge among enslaved people, emphasis on violence, and narratives in which freedom results from external assistance. Films and series such as the 1977 “Roots” miniseries, “Amistad,” “Django Unchained,” and “12 Years a Slave” have been cited in analyses of these patterns. More recent projects, including the Netflix series “High on the Hog,” have examined foodways, crafts, and community practices developed under slavery. Museums and historical projects have similarly increased focus on entrepreneurial and technical knowledge held by enslaved populations.

One example involves ethnobotany and environmental knowledge. Projects such as the Underground Railroad Ethnobotany Project at Guilford College document plant-based practices, navigation skills, and resource management used by enslaved people. These accounts contrast with earlier emphases on powerlessness and have been incorporated into some educational programs, including workplace training sessions on historical contributions.

During the 19th century, Emancipation Day observances in some communities featured parades, speeches, and militia drills. Contemporary accounts, including those by historian A.A. Taylor, noted that organizers sometimes sought participation from white residents, with mixed results. Celebrations continued in Texas and other states through the 20th century even as other forms of segregation persisted.

Current observance includes parades, educational events, and official proclamations at federal, state, and local levels. Debates continue over appropriate framing, with some advocating emphasis on documented skills and resilience and others cautioning against interpretations that minimize documented hardships. Historical records show both the legal termination of slavery and the persistence of related social and economic patterns after 1865.

The holiday’s status as a federal observance has remained in place through changes in administration and state-level policy shifts regarding diversity programs and curricula.