10 Things You Don’t Know About Juneteenth
Discover the deeper truths behind Juneteenth — from delayed emancipation and overlooked states to powerful symbols and traditions that still shape how we remember freedom today.
Juneteenth is often described as a celebration of freedom, but its significance extends far beyond a historical footnote or a symbolic holiday. It marks a turning point in American history — not when slavery legally ended, but when freedom finally reached those left in its shadow. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared that all enslaved people were free. That moment, delayed and hard-won, became the foundation of a holiday rooted in liberation, memory, and resilience.
Though now a federal holiday, Juneteenth’s path to national recognition was long and uneven. From its origins in churchyards and segregated communities to its modern place in civic life, Juneteenth has evolved through grassroots advocacy, cultural traditions, and renewed calls for racial justice. Each element of the holiday — from red foods to regional names — carries a story of survival and a call to remember the full scope of American freedom.
This list delves into 10 lesser-known facts about Juneteenth, each offering insight into the complexity of its legacy. From the persistence of slavery in Union states to the symbolism behind the Juneteenth flag, these facts reveal why the holiday matters, not just as a commemoration of emancipation, but as an ongoing reminder of how justice is often delayed, but never forgotten.
10. It Marks a Delayed Freedom
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union forces arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. Texas, being geographically remote and lightly monitored by Union forces, had allowed slavery to continue largely unchecked. Granger’s arrival and the reading of General Order No. 3 finally brought federal enforcement to the region, freeing thousands who had remained in bondage. Juneteenth has since become a powerful symbol of delayed justice and a lasting celebration of Black freedom, community, and resilience in the face of oppression.
9. It Wasn’t the Last Place to End Slavery
While Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas, it did not signify the end of slavery throughout the entire United States. In several Union border states, including Kentucky and Delaware, slavery remained legal and continued until the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865. These states had been exempt from the Emancipation Proclamation, which applied only to Confederate-held territories, highlighting the uneven and delayed path to freedom even after the Civil War ended.
8. The Original Celebration Was Religious
Early Juneteenth celebrations were often held on church grounds or church-owned land because African Americans were frequently denied access to public parks, fairgrounds, and other communal spaces due to segregation and racial discrimination. Churches not only offered a safe gathering place but also played a central role in organizing these events, which typically included prayer services, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, food, music, and community fellowship.
7. It’s Also Known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day
Juneteenth has been known by several names throughout its history, reflecting regional and cultural variations in how the emancipation of enslaved people has been commemorated. In various parts of the U.S., it has been known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. These names highlight the shared meaning behind the celebration: the recognition of liberation from slavery and the enduring struggle for equality and civil rights.
6. Barbecue Is a Traditional Juneteenth Dish
Barbecue, red soda water, and red-colored foods like strawberry pie, red velvet cake, and watermelon are traditional staples of Juneteenth celebrations. The color red holds cultural and historical significance, symbolizing the bloodshed, resilience, and sacrifices of enslaved ancestors. Rooted in West African spiritual and celebratory customs, these red foods serve as both a tribute to the past and a unifying feature of modern Juneteenth gatherings.
5. Texas Was the First to Make It a Holiday
Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980, largely due to the efforts of Black lawmakers and community activists who advocated for formal recognition of the day’s significance. The legislation marked a turning point in the broader recognition of Juneteenth, inspiring other states to follow suit in the years that followed. Grassroots advocacy played a pivotal role in spreading awareness and gaining official recognition nationwide.
4. It Took Until 2021 to Become a Federal Holiday
Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed it into law, making it the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. The designation followed a surge of national reckoning on racial injustice, amplified by the 2020 George Floyd protests. Public pressure and renewed awareness of the legacy of slavery and systemic inequality helped push long-standing efforts to elevate Juneteenth to national prominence.
3. The General Who Announced Freedom Was Granger
On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, declaring that all enslaved people were free and that there would be “absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property.” This order brought federal authority to bear on one of the last strongholds of slavery in the U.S., marking a pivotal moment in American history. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been in effect for over two years, Granger’s announcement made freedom a lived reality for thousands who had remained in bondage.
2. Some Formerly Enslaved People Stayed
Not all enslaved people left plantations immediately after General Granger’s announcement. Some slaveholders deliberately withheld the news to maintain their labor force through the harvest season, while others used threats or violence to prevent people from leaving. In some cases, enslaved individuals never heard the order at all. Others chose to stay temporarily due to a lack of resources, uncertainty about where to go, or concerns for their safety in a hostile and unfamiliar landscape. Freedom was declared, but its reality unfolded slowly and unevenly.
1. The Juneteenth Flag Has Its Own Symbolism
Created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith and later refined by illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf, the Juneteenth flag features a central white star, symbolizing Texas—the last state where emancipation was enforced—and the freedom of African Americans across the country. The star is set against a bursting outline, representing a new beginning and a bright future on the horizon. The arc across the middle evokes a rising sun, signaling hope and progress. Colored in red, white, and blue, the flag affirms that enslaved people and their descendants are—and always were—Americans.
“The 10” is just a fun and lighthearted diversion from the usual analysis and commentary on More Signal, Less Noise. What topics would you like me to explore in The 10? Let me know in the comments.
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