Today marks the 155th Juneteenth since June 19, 1865, a historic date the United States on which the news of the Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was delivered to slaves in Texas, declaring them free.
Even though the news got to the slaves in Texas more than two years after the Proclamation was passed, they still rejoiced and celebrated. The date became an annual celebration, as African Americans engaged in popular food like strawberry soda, events like rodeos, and prayer, along with guest speaks to educate the masses.
With the beginning of the 1900s, the tradition of Juneteenth faded, largely being suppressed by the white education system – the lives of slaves were not taught in the white washed curriculums of schools. Sometimes celebrations were even directly stopped with restrictions on public spaces. However, the celebration was revived in the 1950s and 60s as the Civil Rights Movement took hold in America. Student demonstrators and the Poor Peoples March to Washington brought the date back to significance. It later became a state holiday in Texas.
In modern times, Juneteenth makes yet another resurgence during the current revolution for black rights under the movement Black Lives Matter as the world fights for police reform and racial justice. The date is being selected as a powerful time to release songs like Beyoncé’s Black Parade. There are calls to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
