Episode 05
Juneteenth: A Reflection on Freedom Day
About the Episode
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two and a half years for the news—and enforcement—to reach some parts of the country, particularly remote Confederate territories like Texas. On June 19, Union Major General Gordon Granger delivered General Order No. 3, which declared:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
That moment became a defining one in American history. Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is a celebration of freedom, liberation, and joy. It became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.
In this special episode, co-hosts Beuloria and Juelle reflect on the intersectional histories of Juneteenth, the enduring legacies of enslavement within the Black community and across the nation, and the challenges of honoring the holiday amid rising commercialization and opposition. They also explore the importance of Black rest and self-care, and share their deeply personal connections to Juneteenth and the broader Black Diaspora.
Explore Juneteenth
Immerse yourself in the holiday through the Juneteenth collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
