It wasn’t until I was twenty-years old and a student in college that I became fully aware of the significance of June 19th . Commonly known as Juneteenth, this date signifies the liberation of the 250,000 African Americans that were enslaved in Texas in 1865. This occurred nearly two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln granted freedom with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863. Thus, Juneteenth is a testament to the long-standing resiliency and fortitude of our ancestors. This country has continually proven that justice and equity has never been a priority when discussed in relation to the Black community.

Perhaps this is why the event continues to evade historical textbooks and classroom curriculums. Black youth are instead encouraged to celebrate the fourth of July with sparklers, barbecues, and thousand-dollar firework displays put on by cities across the country. Little do they know, these festivities in observance of “Independence Day” are not applicable to their ancestors who continued to toil long after America gained its independence.

This year’s celebration of Juneteenth will mark the 155th anniversary since its first commemoration. While forty-five states and Washington, D.C. recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, it has yet to receive federal observance. Although African Americans continued to experience oppression, discrimination, and prejudice once freed, they victoriously rallied around June 19th and made the celebration of this date an annual affair. In the early 1870s, a group of formerly enslaved families collected eight hundred dollars to purchase ten acres of land upon which they could freely gather and celebrate amidst strict segregation laws. This plot of land became known as “Emancipation Park” and was a site of celebration for many years. Celebrations traditionally included food, prayer, and festivities of sport and entertainment. These events sought to honor Black history, heritage, and achievement.