Who Created Juneteenth Holiday?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrated on June 19th in the United States to commemorate the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas. While the exact origins of the holiday are not definitively known, it is widely believed that it was created by former enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas.
The story of Juneteenth’s creation is deeply rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War. In 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that all enslaved people in Texas were now free, as per the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. This announcement came more than two years after the Civil War had ended and the Emancipation Proclamation had been in effect.
The first Juneteenth celebration is said to have taken place on June 19, 1865, when approximately 2,000 former enslaved people gathered at the Galveston Landing to celebrate their freedom. The event was organized by a group of African American freedmen, who were determined to mark the day and ensure that the news of their freedom reached everyone in Texas.
One of the key figures in the creation of Juneteenth was Mary Jane Banneker, a former enslaved woman who played a significant role in organizing the first celebration. She worked alongside other African American leaders to plan the festivities, which included speeches, music, food, and a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Since its inception, Juneteenth has evolved into a national holiday that celebrates the resilience and strength of African Americans. It serves as a reminder of the long journey towards equality and freedom in the United States. While the exact creators of the holiday may never be fully known, the collective efforts of African American freedmen and their descendants have ensured that Juneteenth remains a cherished part of American history.
