Juneteenth is a federal holiday – but it's new to me. Is it important to you? Tell us. | Opinion
I was nearly 40 years old when I first heard of Juneteenth – and I didn't know the significance of the date at all. What does Juneteenth mean to you? Share your thoughts below.
I was nearly 40 years old when I first heard of Juneteenth.
I was living and working in Cincinnati at the time. I didn’t know the significance of the date at all, I figured it was just another summer festival or a day in June to hop in the pool or go to a cookout. Juneteenth was not covered in my history classes, nor publicly celebrated in any of the numerous towns where I previously lived. Here’s what I know now.
On June 19, 1865, 160 years ago, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned that slavery had been abolished in Confederate states with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation – more than two years after it was signed. Although the date is widely recognized now as "Juneteenth," also known as Emancipation Day or Black Independence Day, its historical context is more complex.
Now an official federal holiday, Juneteenth offers an opportunity to engage with a significant chapter in American history that is often overlooked. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. On June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth), enslaved people discovered they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation wasn’t ratified until December 1865, making it the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Think about it, can you imagine something as significant as being freed from bondage and not knowing you were freed for more than two years after the paperwork was signed?
For some, this holiday represents a time to reflect on and celebrate freedom, resilience and the pursuit of equality. For others, who are just beginning to understand the significance of the date, they may appreciate the federal holiday aspect – a day off – without delving into the complex and often uncomfortable conversations about our shared history.
What is Juneteenth – and what does it mean to you? Tell us.
As we observe the fourth anniversary of Juneteenth as a national holiday, we invite you to share your thoughts on what this holiday means to you.
We want to hear from you. Please tell us your thoughts on how this important day resonates (or does not) across your community and whether holidays such as this one have become too politicized to hold significant meaning. Fill out the form below, or send us an email to forum@usatoday.com with the subject line "Forum Juneteenth." We'll publish perspectives from all sides of the conversation in a weekly Forum installment.
Michael McCarter is vice president of the Gannett Opinion Group.