What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a cultural holiday observed annually on June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, officially enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law. While the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, its enforcement depended largely on the advance of Union troops. Texas, being one of the more remote enslaved-people holding states, remained largely unaffected until Granger's arrival.
The name “Juneteenth” is a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” reflecting the historic date. Over time, the holiday has grown beyond its Texas origins into a national celebration of Black/African American freedom, resilience, and cultural heritage. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated throughout the United States and across the Black/African American diaspora, including among communities like the Mascogos—descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped slavery and found refuge in northern Mexico.
What is the history of Juneteenth?
While Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 under the Biden administration, its roots run deep in Black/African American history and culture. For generations, Juneteenth has served as a powerful symbol of freedom, remembrance, and resilience within the Black community. The first Juneteenth celebrations can be traced back to 1866. These early gatherings were deeply spiritual and community-focused, often centered around church services, public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, prayer, and shared meals. Spaces were sought to gather, where churches and rural areas known as "emancipation grounds" became central to the tradition.
During the early 20th century, Juneteenth celebrations faced challenges as segregation laws, economic hardship, and shifting social pressures limited public observances. However, the holiday saw a revival during the Civil Rights Movement, when its messages of liberation and justice regained national relevance.
Juneteenth spread beyond Texas as African Americans relocated during the Great Migration of the early-to-mid 20th century, bringing their cultural traditions—including Juneteenth—with them to cities across the South, Midwest, and West. By the late 20th century, many states began to formally recognize the day.
The Juneteenth National Independence Act made Juneteenth the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.
How do we celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrations vary widely across the United States, reflecting the richness and diversity of Black communities. From the beginning, this holiday has combined joy with remembrance—celebrating freedom while honoring the struggles that came before it.
In the early days, Juneteenth festivities in Texas often included activities like baseball games, fishing trips, horseback riding, and rodeos. For many, it was a rare opportunity to gather freely with family and community. Some formerly enslaved people and their descendants made annual pilgrimages to Galveston, Texas, the site where freedom was first declared, making it a sacred space for reflection and celebration.
Modern Juneteenth celebrations are just as varied. Many communities host parades, street festivals, cookouts, and concerts that highlight Black culture through music, dance, and food. Traditional dishes like barbecue, red drinks, and red velvet cake often are had to symbolize resilience and the bloodshed in the fight for liberation. Educational events, such as public readings, history panels, and museum exhibits, help pass down knowledge about slavery, emancipation, and Black achievements. In some places, the day is marked with voter registration drives, marches, or programs that support local Black-owned businesses and civic engagement efforts.
Historians tend to agree that the important aspects of observing Juneteenth include celebration, education, and activism. Whether intimate or expansive, Juneteenth is a day to honor the past, affirm Black/African American identity and culture, and continue the push for racial justice and equity.
OKC Events:
Juneteenth on the East - Eastpoint NE 23rd between Hood Ave. and Kelham Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73102 | June 19-21
Juneteenth on the East brings together families, local businesses, and community leaders to celebrate freedom with educational events, vibrant performances, and creative gatherings.
Tulsa Events:
Tulsa Juneteenth Festival: Family Reunion - Greenwood Historical District
322 N Greenwood Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120 | June 18-21
Citations:
Public Memory, Cultural Legacy, and Press Coverage of the Juneteenth Revival - Hume & Arceneaux 2008
What Is Juneteenth? - Henry Gates Louis Jr 2013
Remember the Mascogos Afro-Indigenous-Mexican-Americans for Cinco De Mayo - Daily Kos 2019
Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture: “Juneteenth” - Gladys Knight 2011
Juneteenth - National Museum of African American History and Culture 2025
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act – White House 2021
Celebrating Juneteenth – Library of Congress; Erin Allen 2015
