Why do we celebrate the 19th of June?
Juneteenth commemorates an effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.
What happens June 19th?
President Biden signed legislation last year that made Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, a federal holiday, after interest in the day was renewed during the summer of 2020 and the nationwide protests that followed the police killings of Black Americans including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Who made Juneteenth a holiday?
On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth officially became a Texas state holiday. Al Edwards, a freshman state representative, put forward the bill, H.B. 1016, making Texas the first state to grant this emancipation celebration.
How do you explain Juneteenth to a child?
Thus, Juneteenth represents the day when all slaves were free and commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. This holiday is important because it reminds us that the process of ending slavery was not one moment in time but multiple moments.
Is Juneteenth a flag?
The Juneteenth flag is a symbol for the Juneteenth holiday in the United States. The first version was created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith and that early version was displayed in 1997. The present version was first flown in 2000. The colors and symbols on the flag are representative of freedom and the end of slavery.
Is it OK to say Happy Juneteenth?
Just say ‘Happy Juneteenth! ‘ The easiest way to wish someone a Happy Juneteenth is by messaging them and wishing them a fulfilled day. Similar to Black History Month, and other important anniversaries to Black Americans, it is important to acknowledge it as an American holiday, even if you do not celebrate it.
Who was born 19th June?
June 19: Actor Gena Rowlands is 92. Singer Spanky McFarlane of Spanky and Our Gang is 80. Actor Phylicia Rashad is 74. Singer Ann Wilson of Heart is 72.
What color do you wear for Juneteenth?
Red stands for of course the blood that was shed on the pathway to freedom, TriState Expo spokesperson Leah McKay said. Traditionally for juneteenth most celebrations celebrate with red food.
What are the real Juneteenth colors?
You’ll see that the Juneteenth flag uses the exact same colors as the United States’s flag: red, white, and blue. This was intentional and meant to show that the formerly enslaved and their descendants are free Americans, too.
What are the four colors of Juneteenth?
Juneteenth Colors: The Meaning & Symbolism of the Flags’ Red, Blue, Black & Green.
Who created the Juneteenth flag?
The flag is the brainchild of activist Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF). Haith created the flag in 1997 with the help of collaborators, and Boston-based illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf brought their vision to life.