What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is our newest federal holiday, the first new one in almost 40 years. Read on for the inside story…and on the ongoing efforts to make a Juneteenth stamp by the USPS.
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” —General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865
These words issued by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, era, according to historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr., helped establish the basis for “Juneteenth” (“June” plus “nineteenth”), the most popular annual celebration of emancipation from slavery in the U.S., observed in Black communities for 155 years prior to becoming an official United States Federal Holiday in 2021.
What’s open or Closed on Juneteenth?
It’s been a federal holiday since 2021 – the history is here. Post offices, schools and many banks will be closed; some states also participate.
Which States Observe Juneteenth?
As of last year, more than half of US states plus the District of Columbia mark Juneteenth as a state holiday and offices are closed. Find the list and more info here.
A National Juneteenth Museum
A new National Juneteenth Museum is aiming to open in Fort Worth’s historic neighborhood. Spearheaded by Opal Lee, the 97 year old dynamo called “the Grandmother of Juneteenth,” the museum is hoping to open in 2026.
A Juneteenth Stamp?
Ms. Lee has also been behind a years long effort for an official USPS Juneteenth stamp (with a change.org petition to mark Juneteenth with its own stamp – read it here) with a suggested design.
In July 2, 2020, the USPS and the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee was asked to review and approve a submitted Juneteenth stamp proposal to the CSAC through the Stamp Selection Process without delay.
A letter dated July 2, 2020 has been submitted to USPS and Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee proposing a stamp in honor of the day.
Want to learn more? Here are some resources:
BBC News – Juneteenth: What is the newest US holiday and how is it celebrated?
Photo: An Emancipation Day celebration band, June 19, 1900; courtesy of the University of North Texas Libraries, Wikimedia Commons.
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Comments
In the 21st century we’re to those labored during those 400 years as the enslaved. Thank for an enlightening piece of American History.
I’m in agreement with most of what’s already conveyed.
Perhaps next year Senior Planet will hold a first-time event to recognize, educate, or celebrate the official Juneteenth Holiday. Anyone who would be open minded to attend would learn something of the importance, details, and meaning of why it became a Federal Holiday and going forward expectations of it. I, among so many regardless of race, am very sensitive to the tenacity of my enslaved Black ‘American’ ancestors who endured with the faith of reaching freedom eventually within the United States of AMERICA. Unbeknown to them USA enslavement lasted 400+ years of inhuman treatment including murder in any way one could conjure-up.
If you had been enslaved for 400 years, perhaps I could understand your impatience and lack of sensitivity. Some comments should be left in the confines of your mind, Janet.
Articles on slavery will have a different tenor if the word ‘slave’ is replaced by ‘enslaved’.
Slave – bland
Enslaved conjures up a completely different set of visuals – being held vst your will; human-trafficking; brutality of the enslavers and their enforcers; injustice at its highest
Makes white people uncomfortable.
Thank You Senior Plant, because I am a Black female senior of desendant to enslaved white privilage ‘white people uncomfortable’ it should always make U feel or ancestor pain in these United States of America.
I was reading with interest the distinction of connotations between “slave” and “enslaved” — until I reached, “Makes white people uncomfortable.” That may certainly be true of some people, Glory, but the rather smug presumption of yours will probably alienate more “white people” than inspire or educate them. I’m not sure why you felt the need to say that, but white people can identify their own feelings. You might better stick with expressing your own feelings rather than those of others.
Regarding Juneteenth, I think some additional material should be published by Senior Planet . . . perhaps including comments from members who would like to share. I have known too little about the origins, but I care deeply, and as a white person I appreciate all chances to learn more of others’ backgrounds and experiences. Further, we are at an extremely important point in America’s race relations . . . it is time to do more, and learn more.
In the case of Juneteenth, what moves me deeply is that while Lincoln ended slavery in 1893, word did not reach Texan slaves until 1865. Imagine all the time and progress we robbed these good people of . . . only to delay telling all they were free. There are excellent articles in the Cover feature of Google, among them a fine piece in The Atlantic.
I concur with your (editor’s) remark concerning the importance of using our features for outreach and education. Let’s move ahead!
Thanks!
Huh? If Lincoln ended slavery in 1893, as Eileen says, how is it that 1865 was a late transmission of the news? Well, I checked it out and the actual year of Lincoln’s emancipation document was 1863, and 1865 was definitely late news delivery.
Eileen it’s my understanding that the enslaved didn’t hear about freedom until 1865 because the crops that
had been planted had not yet come to
fruition. The enslaved were kept so that the land owners would reap the benefits of the harvest.