Should Juneteenth Be An Official Holiday?

Given the date gained significance n the wake of the Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of George Floyd’s death via excessive force by the police, should Juneteenth be an official federal holiday?

By: Ringo Bones

With President Trump being tine deaf to the widespread Black Lives Matter protests in the United States and in most parts of the world – I mean Trump even resorted to using a NAZI symbol for his 2020 reelection campaign, the historical significance of Juneteenth has finally been elevated above its previous status as an obscure footnote in history. Unless your history teacher was dedicated enough to let their students know on the date’s significance, Jubeteenth has been seen as nothing more than an “obscure” holiday observed by Texans and African Americans. Sadly and tragically – especially in Trump’s America – Juneteenth is about as obscure as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre / Black Wall Street Massacre.

Also known as Emancipation Day, the holiday’s significance is on the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy and also about the exploration and celebration of African American history and heritage. Originating in Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the 19^th of June throughout the United States - albeit with varying official recognition. Specifically, it commemorates Union Army general Gordon Granger announcing federal orders in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, proclaiming that all slaves in Texas were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation came 2½ years earlier on January 1, 1863, many slave owners continued to hold their slaves captive after the announcement, so Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom.

Texans celebrated Juneteenth beginning in 1866, with community-centric events, such as parades, cookouts, prayer gatherings, historical and cultural readings and musical performances. Over time, communities have developed their own traditions. Some communities purchased land for Juneteenth celebrations, such as Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas. As families emigrated from Texas to other parts of the United States, they carried the Juneteenth celebrations with them.

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. Since then, 45 other states and the District of Columbia have also commemorated or recognized the day. Although Juneteenth is not a federal holiday, most states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation recognizing it as a holiday or observance. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Friday, June 19, 2020 that the date will be marked as an official city holiday beginning in 2021 and will also be a public school holiday. A few days before, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an order making Juneteenth a paid holiday for state workers. Were they spurred on by the urgency of the recent Black Lives Matter protests?