Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery. Observed annually on June 19, it marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Communities across the country celebrate with parades, educational events, music, food, and cultural festivals that honor freedom, resilience, and progress.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, recognizing its importance in American history. The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice while celebrating the strength and contributions of African Americans to the nation.

Today, Juneteenth stands as both a celebration of freedom and an opportunity to learn from the past, helping to build a more inclusive future for all.

Listen to: Lift Every Voice and Sing (Juneteenth’s national anthem)

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land.