Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery. Although slavery was already abolished more than two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln, it continued in some areas.

What is so special about June 19th?

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and slavery. Although slavery was already abolished more than two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln, it continued in some areas.

Will Juneteenth become a federal holiday?

WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has stopped a bill in the U.S. Senate, designating Juneteenth as a national holiday, from advancing citing “costs to the American taxpayer.”

What foods are served on Juneteenth?

Red velvet cake, watermelon, Texas Pete hot sauce, strawberry pie and hot links are several red foods commonly served at Juneteenth celebrations, according to the New York Times article “Hot Links and Red Drinks: The Rich Food Tradition of Juneteenth.”

Why are Juneteenth colors red black and green?

According to the UNIA more recently, the three colors on the Black Nationalist flag represent: red: the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry, and shed for liberation; green: the abundant natural wealth of Africa.

Is Juneteenth always on June 19?

Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the United States, with varying official recognition. It is commemorated on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union Army general Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas.

What do you wear to a Juneteenth?

Dress remains a big part of Juneteenth celebrations today. It’s also a nod to the Juneteenth flag, which sports bright red and blue stripes and a bold white star overlay to represent the “new star” on the horizon for our community. Others opt to wear red, black, and green, the colors of the Pan-African flag.

Where can I donate Juneteenth?

Charities to Support:

  • ACLU.
  • NAACP.
  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
  • NBCDI National Black Child Development Institute.
  • NOBLE National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
  • Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

What states are celebrating Juneteenth?

Which states do not celebrate Juneteenth?

— North Dakota, South Dakota and Hawaii are the only states that do not recognize Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, as a holiday.

How do you commemorate Juneteenth?

Hold a movie marathon. Movies are another quiet way of celebrating Juneteenth in a meaningful but fun way. Gather friends and family together to watch movies that focus on black history. Serve up plenty of popcorn and other snacks that are easy to eat while watching the films.

What companies celebrate Juneteenth?

Companies officially observing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for employees this year include Nike, Twitter, Square, Mastercard, Adobe, Postmates, Quicken Loans, Target, Ben & Jerry’s, Workday, Tumblr and J.C. Penney.

How is Juneteenth celebrated in the workplace?

Here are three ways you can commemorate Juneteenth in your workplace.

  1. Make Juneteenth A Company-Wide Effort.
  2. Volunteer At Local Juneteenth Events.
  3. Invite A Guest Speaker.

Why do they call it Juneteenth?

The day’s name is a combination of “June” and “nineteenth” in honor of the date of Granger’s announcement and first appeared around 1903. It is also known as African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 45 states.

Which states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday?

Of the 47 states that do acknowledge Juneteenth in one way or another, Texas, Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania are the only ones recognizing it as an official paid holiday for state employees.

Who can celebrate Juneteenth?

Now it seems like Black and allied voices who’ve been working to get Juneteenth recognized as a national holiday are finally being heard. Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, and companies including Amazon, Google, Nike and Target have all decided this year to observe it.