June 19, or Juneteenth, is an essential day in African-American history. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is the oldest national observance commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States of America. This celebration is considered the longest-running African-American holiday and has been deemed America's second Independence Day. To capture the true essence of the US federal holiday, we bring you Juneteenth 2024 quotes and HD images. Whether you use them for your social media captions or learn about the holiday's history, these Juneteenth quotes will have you beaming with pride. Juneteenth Food Traditions: Why Red-Coloured Food Is Eaten on Juneteenth? Best Dishes To Enjoy on US Federal Holiday.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, during the American Civil War, announcing the freedom of almost three million people who had been held as slaves in the Confederate States. But it would take more than two years for African Americans in Texas to learn of the incident. Confirming the end of the war and the liberation of all enslaved people, Union forces under Officer Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.

The first official Juneteenth festivities were held in Texas the following year on June 19. Prayer gatherings and spiritual singing were part of the original celebrations, and participants dressed in new garments to symbolise their recently acquired freedom. After a short while, African Americans began commemorating the day annually in other states as well. However, Juneteenth was not recognised as a federal holiday until President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in June 2021. So, to mark Juneteenth 2024, we have created a list of inspiring Juneteenth quotes, powerful sayings and HD images to honour freedom and abolishment of slavery.

Juneteenth Quote (File Image)

Quote Reads: “Struggle Is a Never-Ending Process. Freedom Is Never Really Won—You Earn It and Win It in Every Generation.” Coretta Scott King

Juneteenth Quote (Photo Credits: File Image)

Quote Reads: “Nobody’s Free Until Everybody’s Free.” Fannie Lou Hamer

Juneteenth Quote (Photo Credits: File Image)

Quote Reads: “You Cannot Take Your Freedoms for Granted. Just Like Generations Who Have Come Before You, You Have to Do Your Part to Preserve and Protect Those Freedoms.” Michelle Obama

Juneteenth Quote (Photo Credits: File Image)

Quote Reads: “Juneteenth May Mark Just One Moment in the Struggle for Emancipation, but the Holiday Gives Us an Occasion to Reflect on the Profound Contributions of Enslaved Black Americans to the Cause of Human Freedom.” Jamelle Bouie

Juneteenth Quote (Photo Credits: File Image)

Quote Reads: “Juneteenth Has Never Been a Celebration of Victory or an Acceptance of the Way Things Are. It’s a Celebration of Progress. It’s an Affirmation That Despite the Most Painful Parts of Our History, Change Is Possible—And There Is Still So Much Work to Do.” Barack Obama

As this significant day marks the end of slavery in African-American history, let's take a moment to honour the liberation of enslaved people. Wishing all a very Happy Juneteenth 2024.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2024 03:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).