Juneteenth is nearing, a holiday that celebrates a major milestone in the fight for civil and human rights. While the nation is buzzing about the 250th birthday of the United States, we cannot forget the struggles of the people who brought us here. Many people know little about Juneteenth and often overlook it. We must take this opportunity to learn about the hardships of African Americans in the US and work towards a better future. This article will explain what Juneteenth is, how it came to be, and what this means to us today.
Juneteenth marks the day in history when slavery was abolished in all parts of the United States, on June 19th, 1865. Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which decreed all enslaved people free, 1865 was the year when all Confederate states were subject to the proclamation. Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans for many years, but was only recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, after Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
After slavery was abolished in the United States, the fight for equality did not end. The 12 years after the Civil War, 1865-1877, are known as the Reconstruction Era. This period focused on rebuilding the South, reintegrating former Confederate states back into the Union, and granting newly freed people civil and legal rights. However, these years were not easy. African Americans still experienced discrimination and violence at the hands of white supremacists. To this day, African Americans and other minorities suffer, over 160 years later. We must not become complacent, as the fight for human rights is ongoing.
Many in this country do not give Juneteenth the attention it deserves. It is a major milestone in the fight for civil rights. The Trump Administration removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Service’s list of free entry days, revealing just how much this holiday gets overlooked in this country. To make matters worse, Flag Day was added to the list of free days, which coincidentally aligns with Trump’s birthday. We cannot let history be forgotten. Juneteenth is a holiday focused on education. Organizations such as The National Museum of African American History and Culture host Juneteenth events dedicated to learning and remembering African American history, opening the door to education for everyone.
Juneteenth is an incredibly meaningful holiday and should not be ignored. It reminds us of this country’s past and the problems today. This Juneteenth, we should all get involved with local African American organizations and contribute to the fight. This way, we can spread awareness about the holiday and the struggle for human rights.
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