Juneteenth: Difference between revisions
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==Traditions== |
==Traditions== |
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Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated with a large feast served as an all day meal in a park or outdoor space. The traditional dishes of Juneteenth are served [[pot luck]] and usually include portions of [[barbecue]], cakes, pies, and watermelon. |
Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated with a large feast served as an all day meal in a park or outdoor space. The traditional dishes of Juneteenth are served [[pot luck]] and usually include portions of [[barbecue]], cakes, pies, and watermelon. [[Big Red soda]] is the traditional beverage of Juneteenth.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11185556 Red Sodas are Mainstay at Texas Celebrations] National Public Radio, June 19, 2007</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 05:15, 13 September 2007
| Juneteenth | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Freedom Day or Emancipation Day |
| Observed by | Residents of the United States, especially African Americans in Texas and Arkansas |
| Type | Ethnic, Historical |
| Significance | Emancipation of Slaves in Texas |
| Observances | Exploration and celebration of diversity and African American history |
| Date | June 19 |
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday in fourteen states of the United States. Celebrated on June 19, it commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas. The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas; for more than a century, the state of Texas was the primary home of Juneteenth celebrations. However, one small community in Arkansas (Wilmar) boasts that its celebration, called "June Dinner" has been consistently observed and celebrated, except for one year, since approximately 1870. Since 1980, Juneteenth has been an official state holiday in Texas. It is considered a "partial staffing holiday" meaning that state offices do not close but some employees will be using a floating holiday to take the day off.[1] Thirteen other states list it as an official holiday, including Arkansas, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Alaska. In California, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed June 19th "Juneteenth" on June 19, 2005. [2] [3] However, some of these states, such as Connecticut, do not consider it a legal holiday and do not close government offices in observance of the occasion.[4] Its informal observance has spread to some other states, with a few celebrations even taking place in other countries.[5] [3]
History
Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had little immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in Texas, which was almost entirely under Confederate control. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived on Galveston Island to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. Legend has it while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.[6]
That day has since become known as Juneteenth, a name derived from a portmanteau of the words June and nineteenth.
Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year.[6] Across many parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land specifically for their communities’ increasingly large Juneteenth gatherings—including Houston’s Emancipation Park, Mexia’s Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin.[6] Juneteenth celebrations include a wide range of festivities, such as parades, street fairs, cookouts, or park parties and include such things as music and dancing or even contests of physical strength and intellect. Baseball and other popular American games may also be played.
In literature
Ralph Ellison's second novel Juneteenth deals with this holiday and its traditions. Juneteenth was published posthumously, from a manuscript which required heavy editing (and paring) after Ellison's death.
Carolyn Meyer's novel Jubilee Journey is the story of one young biracial girl celebrating Juneteenth with her relatives in Texas, while also learning to be proud of her African American heritage.
Ann Rinaldi's historical novel Come Juneteenth is the story of how Juneteenth came to be, and follows the life of the daughter of a young white plantation-owner's daughter in Texas during the Civil War whose family faces tragedy after their mulatto half-sister runs away when learning they lied to her about being free.
Traditions
Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated with a large feast served as an all day meal in a park or outdoor space. The traditional dishes of Juneteenth are served pot luck and usually include portions of barbecue, cakes, pies, and watermelon. Big Red soda is the traditional beverage of Juneteenth.[7]
References
- ^ "Official Holidays of the State of Texas". State of Texas website. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
- ^ ""Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims June 19th "Juneteenth"". Proclamation by the Governor of the State of California. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, to enforce President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and declare freedom for all slaves. Each year thereafter, former Texas slaves and their descendants joined in a celebration of freedom on June 19, and the day became known as "Juneteenth."
- ^ a b Moskin, Julie (2004). "An Obscure Texas Celebration Makes Its Way Across the U.S." (HTML). The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|day=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "NYT" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ "Legal Holidays in Connecticut". State of Connecticut website. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
- ^ "The World Celebrates Freedom" (HTML). Retrieved 2006-06-19.
- ^ a b c "Juneteenth". State of Texas website. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
- ^ Red Sodas are Mainstay at Texas Celebrations National Public Radio, June 19, 2007
See Also
External links
- Juneteenth World Wide Celebration
- 19th of June
- Juneteenth from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Texas State Library’s Juneteenth page
- Dallas’ annual Juneteenth film festival
- Festival for Charlotte, NC and surrounding area
- Juneteenth America, Inc.--California Juneteenth
- Rappahannock Regional Juneteenth Celebration
- National Juneteenth Observance Foundation
- Juneteenth New Jersey Celebration
- Juneteenth Maryland Celebration
- Pennsylvania Juneteenth Coalition
- Massachusetts to 'recognize' Juneteenth Boston Globe