What’s Juneteenth?

I’m pretty certain that a large number of Americans don’t even know what “Juneteenth” is, so to make sure we’re all in the know, simply remember that Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States, officially called Juneteenth National Independence Day. 

This day, that happens to fall today, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Post office, bank, government offices and large companies will shut down, but most every one else will go to work.

Its unusual name is the combination of “June” and “nineteenth”, as it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, that proclaimed the freedom of slaves in Texas. 

Originating in Galveston, Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating the African-American culture. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. So this is quite new and explain why so few of us are able to explain it...