Juneteenth National Independence Day 2024 Date and History: Know the Meaning and Significance of the Annual US Celebration
Juneteenth holds great significance in the history of America as it symbolises the end of slavery in the country and represents a significant milestone in the nation's history.
Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is celebrated annually on June 19 in the United States. This federal holiday in the US commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. The holiday's name is a blend of the words ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’, as it was on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Early celebrations of Juneteenth date back to 1866, at first involving church-centred community gatherings in Texas. Juneteenth Travel Guide: From Texas to New York City, 7 Places To Visit To Celebrate and Experience the True Spirit of the US Federal Holiday.
As per historical records, on September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln announced that the Emancipation Proclamation would go into effect on January 1, 1863, promising freedom to enslaved people in all of the rebellious parts of Southern states of the Confederacy, including Texas.
Juneteenth 2024 Date
Juneteenth 2024 will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19.
Juneteenth National Independence Day History
Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983. The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth History and Facts: Important Things to Know About the US Federal Holiday Commemorating the End of Slavery.
Juneteenth National Independence Day Significance
Juneteenth holds great significance in the history of America as it symbolises the end of slavery in the country and represents a significant milestone in the nation's history. Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African-American holiday in the US and has been called America's second Independence Day. Juneteenth falls on June 19 and has often been celebrated on the third Saturday in June. Historian Mitch Kachun considers that celebrations of the end of slavery have three goals: "to celebrate, to educate, and to agitate.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2024 09:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).