Wednesday, June 19 marks the third anniversary of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the United States.
It was established in 2021 as a response to national outrage sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and other African Americans whose deaths were considered motivated by racism.
In 2020, their deaths sparked nationwide protests in which millions of people carried signs of Black Lives Matter (“Black lives matter,” in Spanish) to denounce what many Americans describe as deep-rooted racism.
In response to this mobilization, President Joe Biden signed a bill on June 19, 2021, creating the holiday and using it as a catalyst to address police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.
How did it come about Juneteenth?
Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States by commemorating the day in 1865 when American Union soldiers informed enslaved African Americans of their freedom.
Despite the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 – which theoretically freed African Americans but only applied to the Confederate states – slavery continued until after the end of the Civil War in 1865. At that time, approximately 250,000 African Americans were still enslaved in Texas.
Slavery persisted in the border states, including Delaware and Kentucky, until December 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified, officially abolishing slavery.
The way of Juneteenth The recognition of this day as a holiday in the United States began with racial tensions in the late 1960s.
In 1979, state representative Al Edwards of Texas established Juneteenth USAan organization whose sole purpose was to raise awareness about Juneteenth and advocate for its recognition as a state holiday.
“My father always thought the freedom of our ancestors should be celebrated and marked with a statewide holiday,” his son, Jason Edwards, told the Voice of America.
For 40 years, Rep. Edwards, along with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, worked with legislators across the country to establish Juneteenth like a state holiday. By 2014, 45 states had passed laws recognizing it.
In 2017, 89-year-old activist Opal Lee, who had vigorously campaigned for Juneteenth was recognized as a national holiday for decades, he walked 2,200 kilometers from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC, to gain support from Congress.
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a supporter of Edwards’ initiative, introduced the bill to Congress 12 times over 22 years before it was finally signed into law. Reflecting on this achievement, Jason Edwards expressed how proud he was to see his father’s dream come true.
At the White House on Monday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris honored Edwards, who died in 2020, for his 40-year effort to Juneteenth was recognized as a state and federal holiday.
How does the population celebrate? Juneteenth?
Today, people celebrate Juneteenth honoring African American history and culture. Festivities include civil rights activism, readings on African American history, festivals, musical performances, and supporting African American-owned businesses. Edwards emphasized the importance of acknowledging the pain associated with the holiday while celebrating the resilience of African American ancestors.
Stephan Nziengui, who emigrated from Gabon to Parkville, Maryland, told VOA What do you plan to celebrate? Juneteenth, recognizing its meaning as a symbol of freedom for their ancestors. She intends to visit Washington with her family to learn about the oppression his ancestors faced and current struggles against racism.
What should we remember in Juneteenth?
In Juneteenth, many reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and equality. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described it as a day “when we honor the strength and courage of African Americans and the contributions they have made and continue to make to our country.”
[Con información de The Associated Press y Reuters]
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