What is a Juneteenth greeting?

Just say 'Happy Juneteenth! ' The easiest way to wish someone a Happy Juneteenth is by messaging them and wishing them a fulfilled day. Similar to Black History Month, and other important anniversaries to Black Americans, it is important to acknowledge it as an American holiday, even if you do not celebrate it.

What does the phrase Juneteenth mean?

Juneteenth commemorates an effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

Is it polite to wish Happy Juneteenth?

Yes, it's appropriate to say 'Happy Juneteenth Day'. Many people on social media say that this is a good way to acknowledge Juneteenth.

How do you celebrate Juneteenth respectfully?

What is Juneteenth slavery?

Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.

What is Juneteenth?

What are some Juneteenth traditions?

Music, dancing, and games — like dominoes, bid whist, and spades — round out some festivities. Serving red drinks, which symbolizes perseverance and honors the blood that was shed by our ancestors, is another Juneteenth tradition.

What is Juneteenth and why is it a holiday?

On June 19, 1865 — over 2 years after President Lincoln declared all enslaved persons free — Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas.

Why is it called Juneteenth?

The name "Juneteenth" references the date of the holiday, combining the words "June" and "nineteenth." "On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger led the Union Soldiers to Galveston, TX, to announce the end of the war and the freedom of all enslaved people.

Who celebrates Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War, has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s.

Why do people celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name “Juneteenth” references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.”

What is Juneteenth red food?

Juneteenth gatherings customarily feature red foods, which are used to symbolize resilience and joy. Delectable strawberry pie, barbecue, red rice, watermelon, hot sauce, red velvet cake and red sausages on the grill are all abundant. But no celebration would ever be complete without Red Drink.

What is the color for Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is traditionally a barbecue holiday, where families and friends will gather around the almighty grill (or pit). But a Juneteenth meal just isn't complete without red desserts and beverages, and many also wear the color red.

What colors are worn for Juneteenth?

The Juneteenth colors of red, white, and blue echo the iconic colors of the American flag. These three colors appear on the Juneteenth flag as a second declaration of independence: Black Americans—from former slaves to their living descendants—were and are free Americans too.

Does Juneteenth have a symbol?

That banner with a bursting star in the middle is the Juneteenth Flag, a symbolic representation of the end of slavery in the United States. The flag is the brainchild of activist Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF).

Is there a symbol for Juneteenth?

The most recognizable symbol of Juneteenth is the Juneteenth flag. The flag was first flown in 2000, at Boston's Roxbury Heritage State Park. Ben Haith initiated the Boston flag raising.

What flowers for Juneteenth?

Poppy Commemorates Juneteenth | Poppy Flowers.

Can you wear black on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth traditions

In addition to celebrating through parties, festivals, and parades, some choose to wear red, black, and green in honor of the colors of the Pan-African flag, which represents people of the African Diaspora and is held as a symbol of Black freedom.

Is Juneteenth a flag?

The Meaning of the Flag

Deliberately consisting of a red, white, and blue color scheme just like the American flag, the Juneteenth flag has a white star in the center, meant to represent both Texas (the Lone Star State), as well as the freedom of enslaved people in all 50 states.

Why do people drink red in Juneteenth?

The color red is said to represent the blood shed throughout enslavement, and some say it traces back to parts of West Africa where red drinks marked special occasions and red is symbolic of spiritual power.

What is a traditional Juneteenth dinner?

Juneteenth (a combination of June and nineteenth) celebrations include parades, parties, and prayer. And celebrations would not be complete without Juneteenth food. Barbecue and red-colored foods and drinks like red strawberry soda, and red velvet cake are all common.

What did the slaves eat on Juneteenth?

History offers several explanations why Juneteenth food is often red. According to culinary historian Michael Twitty in Afroculinaria: The practice of eating red foods—red cake, barbecue, punch and fruit– may owe its existence to the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo brought to Texas in the 19^th century.

What should I eat and drink on Juneteenth?

Who invented Juneteenth?

Deriving its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth", it is celebrated on the anniversary of General Order No. 3, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.

When did Juneteenth become a US holiday?

117th Congress

475 were both introduced to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. S. 475 passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 15, 2021, and it passed the House by a vote of 415-14 on June 16, 2021. The bill was signed into law on June 17, 2021,4 and Juneteenth became the 12th federal holiday.

When did slavery end?

Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.