Juneteenth: An American Celebration

The History.

1619. 1776. 1862. 1863. 1865. 2021.

Although the earliest records of enslaved Africans in the Americas date back to 1526, 1619 is the first (recorded) year that Africans were brought to English colonies. Arriving in both Virginia and Florida, they and those that came behind them would experience a nearly 300-year journey of chattel slavery that would cripple their identity and forever impact the very foundation of America.

In July 4, 1776, 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain thus freeing them from taxes and declared a celebration of nationhood. (Declared a federal holiday on June 28, 1870.)

In the 3rd year of the Civil War on September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln inked the Emancipation Proclamation that would free enslaved Africans in the Confederate states that were rebelling against the Union. The proclamation declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” These states were Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas and North Carolina. The Union states of Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Kentucky where slavery was legal and West Virginia, parishes in Louisiana to include New Orleans that were in rebellion were not covered by this proclamation.

January 1, 1863 the proclamation was taken into effect and all of the states that were occupied by Union troops freed their enslaved Africans in America. This did not include Texas, West Virginia, or Mississippi.

June 19, 1865 General Gordon Granger along with 2000 troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. They informed more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. This day became known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day. Juneteenth, a blend of the words June and nineteenth, was first celebrated 1867 in Austin Texas then in 1872 in Houston Texas after the purchase of land known today as Emancipation Park. Later in this same year, West Virginia, Mississippi and the remaining Union states would adopt the 13th Amendment and free their enslaved African Americans.

On Thursday, June 17, 2021, 156 years later, Juneteenth The Independence Day Act was signed into law. Juneteenth or Day of Jubilee will be officially be recognized as a Federal Holiday acknowledging the delayed news of emancipation that arrived to many of our ancestors in Texas. Although there is still work to do to continue to overcome the impacts of slavery in African American communities, this acknowledgement brings awareness to a American history.

Honoring A Legacy.

For Xposure East Coast Committee Chair, William Liam Princeton, “Juneteenth means freedom and a celebration for my life. My life of a young and aspiring black man who gets to live a blessed life because of the sacrifices of many lives. They inspire me to forage the path that I walk every day.”  

Continue elevating your education of Juneteenth and honor the legacy by sharing the history given above, volunteering in your community, supporting a black owned business or by participating in one of the below mentioned celebrations with your friends and families!

              Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration (Charlotte, NC) – The Knight Theater will host young professionals, fashion enthusiasts and progressive thinkers to celebrate Juneteenth

            Juneteenth Festival Of The Carolinas (Charlotte, NC) – The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas will celebrate with four days of events. On the morning of June 19, join the peaceful Juneteenth Freedom March

            Juneteenth Celebration Community Bike Ride Part II (Louisville, KY) – Come together for the Annual Juneteenth Ride and Celebration!!! Join folks on bikes to celebrate ourselves, everyone’s resistance, everyone’s existence, and all of our JOY.

            Black Culture Week Juneteenth Caravan & Festival (Chicago, IL) – Beginning on Chicago’s West Side, the City Wide Juneteenth Caravan will pass through historic neighborhoods and sites on its way to the South Side. The caravan ends with a two-day recognition ceremony and spoken word concert.

            Roll N Peace: Juneteenth Celebration (Chicago, IL) – Families can hop on their bikes for a cycling celebration of unity

              Juneteenth Ball Chicago 2021 (Chicago, IL) – Families are invited to enjoy dinner and dancing under a tent to celebrate and applaud the success of Black Americans in Chicago. A VIP reception will precede the event.

              Juneteenth Parade (Austin, TX) – Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce organizes this annual parade, which received the go-ahead to take place this year. The theme is “Listen to the Voices of Change,”

              Juneteenth Historical Bike Tour (Houston, TX) – Historical Juneteenth Bike Ride with Freedmen's Town Bike Tours. On this bike tour guest will tour the First settlement for Black people in Houston, Freedmen's Town & 3rd Ward

              Juneteenth Black Art Exhibit (Houston, TX) – Come and enjoy the beautiful art completed by Black Artists.

              Juneteenth Celebration (Houston, TX) – BLCK Market’s mission is to provide a safe place for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They provide an opportunity to showcase quality brands and products to tens of thousands of consumers.

              Sip N Paint Juneteenth Celebration (Los Angeles, CA) – Join Da Art Haus with a Sip N Paint Juneteenth Celebration in Leimert Park on Saturday June 19, 2021!.

              LEIMERT PARK RISING: Juneteenth Celebration (Los Angeles, CA) – two day celebration of Black liberation built to educate, entertain and activate while featuring art, ideas and performances from local talent including Leimert’s own Grammy Award nominated artist, Terrace Martin.

              Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival (Atlanta, GA) – line the street and then follow the parade to Centennial Olympic Park and Join the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival in progress

              Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC (New York, NY) – Attendees can enjoy performances, workshops and panels covering various topics.

              Juneteenth 'Pomp' Pageant (Brooklyn, NY) – Juneteenth Pomp is a family-based experience that leads youth 13-19 years old into a cascade of learning through leadership training. They will receive etiquette classes, business prep, and all other leadership training courses.

            Juneteenth Walk / Run Barbecue (New York, NY) – A solidarity march in the form of a 5K walk/run with NYC-based run crews and community groups. The event will cover Highbridge, Jackie Robinson, Saint. Nicholas, and Morningside Parks from The Heights to Harlem

Mo' Better Brew's Vegan Cafe Juneteenth Grand Opening (Houston, TX) - Chasitie and Courtney Lindsey behind Houston Sauce Co. and other concepts is unveiling Mo' Better Brews, a vegan breakfast, coffee and vinyl shop that allies their passion for food and music.

Happy Day of Jubilee!

Kelli McMillan

3rd Generation Houstonian, Founder, Xposure & Global Partner Manager at Five9