By Sara Gondwe
Juneteenth, often known as “Our Other Independence Day” is a day designated to celebrate the last remaining slaves that were notified of their freedom on June 19th, 1865.
As a Unitarian Universalist, I see our goal as being inclusive, to make sure that there are representatives “at the table” from many different groups and perspectives.
We can make July 4th truly meaningful by celebrating Juneteenth so that Freedom can be celebrated by all.
| 1776 | Declaration of Independence from England. Did this mean freedom for all? Is this holiday important for women and African Americans to celebrate meaningfully? |
| 1852 | Independence Day speech — Frederick Douglas asked, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? |
| 1863 | Emancipation Proclamation became effective. |
| 1863 — 1865 | Lack of effective communication methods; desire by slave owners not to inform their slaves of their freedom — hundreds of thousands of slaves were not freed until Juneteenth. |
| 1865 | 250,000 former slaves in Galveston, Texas learned for the first time that slaves were officially freed 2 1/2 years earlier. General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with more than 2,000 troops. A public reading that began, “The people of Texas are informed that all slaves are free.” In shock, disbelief and amazement, an instant celebration began. |
| 1980 | Juneteenth becomes a state holiday in Texas. |
| 1980 -> | 42 states officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, including VA. |
| 2014 | Maryland became the 43rd state to officially observe Juneteenth |
| 2016 | The goal of the National Juneteenth Observation Foundation is to gain Congressional approval to designate Juneteenth as a national day of observance. Others are working to have its 150th anniversary celebrated worldwide. |
Juneteenth is celebrated internationally, in such countries, as Ghana, Honduras, Japan, Taiwan, Trinidad, Tobago and France.
CELEBRATIONS:
Locally — Charlottesville:
http://us6.campaign–archive2.com/?u=e6124791f3&id=93a2ea7b80&e=6901ffec43
Nationally — D.C., National Museum of African American History and Culture:
http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/national–museum–african–american–history–and–culture–brings–treasures–dallas–juneteenth
Let’s Celebrate!