Google trend - Happy Juneteenth

Happy Juneteenth - 10 things to know with detail

• Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved individuals were free.
• Although President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years for the news to reach Texas. This delay was due to the lack of Union troops in the state to enforce the proclamation.
• Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. It is not only a day of remembrance but also a celebration of African American culture, history, and achievements.
• The first Juneteenth celebrations were simple gatherings of food, music, and prayer. Today, the holiday is celebrated with parades, festivals, barbecues, music, and dancing.
• In 1980, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. Since then, 47 other states and the District of Columbia have also recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday or observance.
• The Juneteenth flag, designed by Ben Haith in 1997, features a bursting star in the middle, representing the idea of a new freedom and new beginnings. The flag's colors - red, white, and blue - symbolize the American flag and the resilience of African Americans.
• Juneteenth is a time for reflection on the progress made in civil rights and social justice, as well as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality for all.
• In recent years, there has been a growing movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill officially recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, making it the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.
• Juneteenth celebrations often include educational activities, such as historical reenactments, readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and discussions about the significance of the holiday.
• Juneteenth is a time to honor the resilience, strength, and perseverance of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom, justice, and equality for all people.