Today In History: Juneteenth

Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865, two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863. Major General Gordon Granger ordered the freedom of enslaved peoples in the state of Texas and began Reconstruction to nullify laws passed by the Confederates. During the Civil War, 1861-1865, many farmers and their African American slaves had moved to rural Texas from Eastern states to escape fighting and continue work on the cotton plantations, as well as in tobacco and later, the railroads. The Union victory freed four million enslaved people, who were concentrated in the South, but the legacy of slavery would influence future decades of American history, including the Civil Rights Movement and more recently Black Lives Matter.

Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 at local church gatherings, and then took place throughout the decades in both rural and urban areas with growing celebrations of African American culture. It was not until 2021 that it became signed into law as a federal holiday. In "Honoring Juneteenth" President Tom Bailey of Teachers College Columbia University,  wrote, "in addition to offering an opportunity for joy, the holiday serves as a call to action—reminding us of the critical importance of our continued work to educate and advocate to support an anti-racist, equitable and inclusive society."

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Emancipation in the South. (1862, Oct 04). New York Times (1857-1922) 
• "June "Teenth". (1915, Jul 03). The Chicago Defender (Big Weekend Edition) (1905-1966) 
• Tatum, P. A. (1981, Aug 15). Juneteenth: There Is an Old Expression in the Navy, "Someone Always Fails to Get the Word." Michigan Chronicle (1939-2010) 
• Juneteenth. (1995, May 31). Juneteenth: In Celebration of Black Freedom. New Journal and Guide (1916-) 
• Marketing Consultant Introduces Fourth Volume on Black History. (1995, Nov 25). Afro-American (1893-) 
• Schumacher, M.L. (1999, Jun 23). Lifting Their Spirits: The Meaning of Freedom Landover Festival Marks Juneteeth. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Wilson, L. (1999, Jun 24). Juneteenth: Juneteenth Celebration at the African American History Museum. Call and Post (1982-) 
• Celebrating Culture of Africa at Charles Juneteenth Festival. (2003, Jun 19). The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Jarrett, V. (2003, Jun 18). Dual Feelings on Juneteenth Day: Juneteenth Day Is a Worthy Observance, But Not Ready for Prime Time. Chicago Defender (Daily Edition) (1973-) 
• The History of Juneteenth: What Is Juneteenth? (2008, Jun 19). New Journal and Guide (1916-) 
• Juneteenth Celebration in Freedom's Backyard. (2010, Jun 13). Philadelphia Tribune (1912-) 

Tips:

• Abernethy, Francis Edward. Juneteenth Texas : Essays in African-American Folklore. Denton, Texas: University of North Texas Press, 2010. e-book
• Bales, Kevin., and Zoe. Trodd. To Plead Our Own Cause Personal Stories by Today’s Slaves. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2008. e-book
• Branch, Muriel Miller., and Willis. Branch. Juneteenth : Freedom Day. First edition. New York: Cobblehill/Dutton Books, 1998.  Curriculum ; E185.93.T4 B68 1998
• Johnson, Angela, and Earl B. Lewis. All Different Now : Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom. First edition. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014. PZ7.J629 All 2014
• Weatherford, Carole Boston, and Yvonne Buchanan. Juneteenth Jamboree. First edition. New York: Lee & Low Books, 1995. PZ7.W3535 Ju 1995
• Be sure to check out upcoming celebrations which draw  attention to social justice and learning in celebration of the federal holiday.

Images:

• Texas Historical Commission Juneteenth Plaque, placed in 2014, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
• Emancipation Day Celebration Band, June 19, 1900, Courtesy of Picryl
• Poster image: Juneteenth Freedom Day, Courtesy of Pixabay

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