Juneteenth, also known as, Freedom Day, is sometimes called the Second Independence Day. The day when all Americans were truly free.
June 19, 1865 Union soldiers freed the last of the slaves in Galveston, Texas. This was over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. It took this extra time because there were so few soldiers to enforce the new law. Even after freeing the slaves and making Black Americans "equal" white southerners refused to treat them as such. There was violence and killings and segregation began.
Juneteenth was celebrated by having barbeques, dancing, reciting the Emancipation Proclamation, eating and drinking red foods and beverages to represent the blood of the slaves. They did this despite and to rebel against the hate of the south. Celebrations were even held on land that Black Americans had to be to even be able to celebrate. These festivities got bigger and bigger each year.
Most importantly, the celebrations grew into reflection education, advocacy and policy change. Every June 19 celebrations were had. But every other day, the spirit of June 19 drove policy changes, equality, and even the Civil Rights Movement. It became a time to fight for equality: equal job opportunity, the right to vote, the right to an equal and adequate education, and more.
In 2021, Juneteenth has become a federal holiday, the first since Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Looking to celebrate around Second Life?
- Legacy Designs Studio - Juneteenth Festive and Black Lives Matter Virtual Art Exhibition June 15-30
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