On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas were told they were free. This day, known as Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated by Black Americans for over a century. However, it wasn't until June 17, 2021, that President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Juneteenth has its roots in Texas, where it originated as a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all slaves in Texas were free. This announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which had declared that all slaves in Confederate states were free.
For many Black Americans, Juneteenth is a day of celebration and remembrance. It is a time to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom, reflect on the progress made since the end of slavery, and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality.
On Juneteenth, an African American meteorologist reflects on the significance of the holiday and a curious connection to the deadliest storm in U.S. history. Isaac Cline was a meteorologist in Galveston, Texas, when the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history struck the city on September 8, 1900. Cline was one of the few people who survived the storm, and he went on to become a prominent meteorologist. His great-grandson, Ron, reflects on the significance of Juneteenth and the connection between the storm and the struggle for freedom.
It was only in 2021 that President Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19, as a federal holiday. The legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The bill was introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), and it was co-sponsored by a diverse group of lawmakers from both parties.
Sam Collins III, left, and others celebrate at the Juneteenth historical marker on June 17, 2021, in Galveston, Texas, after President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The signing of the bill was a historic moment for Black Americans, who have long advocated for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday.
Today, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that would declare Juneteenth a federal holiday. The recognition of the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. is a long overdue acknowledgment of the atrocities committed against Black Americans throughout our nation's history. This holiday is an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on our past and to recommit ourselves to the work of building a more just and equitable future.
President Joe Biden said that signing legislation into law on Thursday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day – a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the country – was one of the greatest honors he had as President. He said it was particularly meaningful to him because he was signing the bill into law on the anniversary of the Charleston church shooting, which claimed the lives of nine Black Americans.
WASHINGTON — President Biden signed legislation on Thursday to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, enshrining June 19 as the national day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The move fulfilled a long-sought goal of advocates of racial justice and makes the day the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983.
By Casey Harrison. Thu, Jan 26, 2023 (5:10 p.m.). Click to enlarge photo. Evan Vucci / AP. In this June 17, 2021, file photo, President Joe Biden hands a pen to Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., after signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The legislation was passed by Congress to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday, marking the end of slavery in the United States. The signing of the bill was a historic moment for Black Americans, who have long advocated for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday.
This historic moment is a reminder of the progress we have made as a nation and the work that still needs to be done. It is a time to celebrate the resilience and strength of Black Americans, who have overcome centuries of oppression and injustice. It is also a time to recommit ourselves to the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice for all. As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us remember the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom and honor their legacy by continuing the work of building a more just and equitable society.
