Juneteenth is now a federal holiday — but many Americans are still confused about what it actually celebrates.
Here are the top 5 things you need to know about this historic day:
- Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free — a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
- The holiday's name is a blend of "June" and "nineteenth," and it's also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
- Despite becoming a federal holiday in 2021, a recent poll found that 60% of Americans know little to nothing about Juneteenth’s history or significance.
- Celebrations include parades, cookouts, prayer services, and educational events, but many families are now adding "Juneteenth books" and "Juneteenth movies" to their traditions for deeper learning.
- Corporations and schools are increasingly hosting Juneteenth events, but critics argue that without genuine anti-racism work, these observances risk becoming performative.