11 Facts You Should Know About Juneteenth

Juneteenth isn’t just a date in a history book—it’s a powerful reminder that freedom has always been fought for, delayed, and reimagined. It's a moment to reflect on justice, resistance, and joy in Black communities. Whether you’re learning about it for the first time or want to deepen your understanding, here are 11 essential facts about Juneteenth that connect past struggles with the ongoing fight for equity and liberation today.

1. Juneteenth marks the day freedom finally came to Texas

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

2. The official announcement was called General Order No. 3

This order declared the “absolute equality of personal rights” and ended slavery in Texas—on paper. In reality, many enslavers delayed telling people or resisted enforcement.

3. Not everyone found out they were free right away

Many of those who were enslaved weren’t informed until months later, and some were even forced to work through another harvest season. A harsh reminder that freedom often had to be claimed, not just declared.

4. Black communities started celebrating Juneteenth as early as 1866

These early celebrations included parades, church services, barbecues, music, and educational events. For many, it was a sacred time to honor freedom and community.

5. Red food is a symbol of resilience

Traditional Juneteenth foods include red drinks, red velvet cake, and barbecued meats. The color red symbolizes sacrifice, strength, and ancestry, with ties to West African traditions.

6. Black Texans bought land just to celebrate Juneteenth

Because public spaces were often segregated or restricted, Black communities bought land specifically for Juneteenth events, like Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas. Elsewhere, Juneteenth organizers also purchased Booker T. Washington Park in Virginia.

7. Juneteenth grew during the Great Migration

As Black families moved north and west in search of opportunity, they took Juneteenth with them—spreading it to places like Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

8. It’s been called “America’s second Independence Day”

Juneteenth acknowledges that freedom wasn’t fully delivered to everyone on July 4, 1776. It's a celebration that centers Black liberation and the unfinished work of justice.

9. Texas made it an official holiday in 1980

Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Others followed, and today it’s celebrated across the U.S.

10. It became a federal holiday in 2021

In the wake of national protests against racial injustice, Juneteenth was officially made a U.S. federal holiday—the first new one since MLK Day.

11. Juneteenth is about memory, action, and hope

It’s not just a celebration—it’s a call to learn, reflect, and act. It connects the past with the present and challenges young people like you to keep pushing for freedom, equity, and healing.

Keep learning and showing up, because when young people lead, the world changes. Whether you post about Juneteenth, show up at a local event, or just start conversations with your friends and family—you’re part of the story. Juneteenth is a moment to celebrate Black freedom, but also to recommit to racial justice year-round.