Juneteenth is on Saturday, June 19, 2027, and it falls on June 19 every year. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved people were free. It is a day of celebration, remembrance and reflection on the end of slavery in the United States.
When Is Juneteenth?
It’s always June 19. It has been a federal holiday since 2021, and its official name is Juneteenth National Independence Day.
When June 19 falls on a weekend, federal workers usually get the nearest weekday off. The name blends “June” and “nineteenth.”
The History of June 19, 1865
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It declared enslaved people in the Confederate states free. But it could only take effect where Union forces were in control.
Texas was far from the main fighting, and slavery went on there. The Civil War’s major fighting ended in the spring of 1865. Even then, the news had not reached most enslaved Texans.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston. He issued General Order No. 3, which “informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free,” the National Archives says.
About 250,000 enslaved people lived in Texas, the Texas State Historical Association notes. Word reached them slowly, as enslavers delayed telling them. Slavery was abolished nationwide later that year by the 13th Amendment.
From Texas tradition to federal holiday
Freed people in Texas soon began marking the date each year. Early gatherings included political rallies that taught Black Texans about their new voting rights.
In Austin, the Freedmen’s Bureau held a celebration in 1867. In Houston, a group bought land for a celebration site and signed the deed in 1872. That land became Emancipation Park, which still hosts events today.
Texas made June 19 a state holiday after a bill by state Representative Al Edwards. Lawmakers passed it in 1979, and the first state-sponsored celebration came in 1980.
Congress later passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. President Joe Biden signed it on June 17, 2021. It was the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Why the Day Matters
June 19 honors the moment freedom finally reached people who had been kept from it. It also shows how long freedom took to arrive, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
For many Black families, the day has long carried deep personal meaning. It celebrates resilience, culture and community. It is also a day to remember those who suffered under slavery and to reflect on the work for equal rights that followed.
How to Observe Juneteenth
Traditional celebrations have included prayer services, picnics, family reunions, parades, barbecues and music. Many open with the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Here are respectful ways to take part:
- Attend a local event: join a parade, festival or service, many of them led by Black community groups.
- Read the source: read the text of General Order No. 3 at the National Archives.
- Learn local history: visit a museum or historic site that tells the story of slavery and freedom in your area.
- Share family stories: ask older relatives about how they marked the day.
- Support Black-owned businesses: choose local restaurants, bookstores and makers.
- Keep it sincere: at work or school, focus on learning rather than sales or slogans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a federal holiday?
Yes. It became a federal holiday when President Biden signed the law on June 17, 2021. Federal offices close, and many states and employers also give the day off.
What did General Order No. 3 say?
Issued by Gen. Gordon Granger in Galveston, it told Texans that all enslaved people were free. It also advised freed people to stay where they were and work for wages.
Why is it called Freedom Day?
It marks the date freedom was announced in Texas, one of the last places it reached. It has also been called Emancipation Day and Jubilee Day.