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President Abe Lincoln gave the Emancipation Proclamation

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April 9, 1865: The Confederacy Surrenders

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April 9, 1865: The Confederacy Surrenders

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General Lee surrenders in Virginia after a long battle. The results of the battle of Appomattox set the stage for the end of the civil war. Lee surrendered to avoid his men having to suffer further. There were 440 Confederacy deaths and 260 Union ones.

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June 19, 1865: Emancipation Day in Texas

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June 19, 1865: Emancipation Day in Texas

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As news of the ending of the civil war began to spread, along with the message that the enslaved were now free, many people were only able to find out through word of mouth. On this significant day, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and the freedom of all enslaved people in the state. This momentous occasion marked the effective end of slavery in the United States, as it was one of the last states to have emancipation enforced.

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The 13th Amendment was passed and because of this the United States found a final constitutional solution to the issue of slavery.

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June 19, 1866: The First Juneteenth Celebration

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June 19, 1866: The First Juneteenth Celebration

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One year following the emancipation, the freed African-American communities in Texas commemorated their freedom for the first time. This celebration, known as Juneteenth, involved community gatherings, feasts, music, and reflection on the hardships they had overcome and the hopeful future ahead.

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Early 1900s: Juneteenth Spreads Across the South

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Early 1900s: Juneteenth Spreads Across the South

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As African-American families migrated from Texas to other parts of the United States, they brought the tradition of Juneteenth with them, expanding its observance across the South. Festivities began to include more communal activities such as barbecues, baseball games, and church services, becoming a way for communities to come together in unity and remembrance.

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June 7, 1979: Juneteenth is an official Holiday

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June 7, 1979: Juneteenth is an official Holiday

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This marks the day where Texas makes Juneteenth an official Holiday. They are the first state to recognize the event as such and this paves the way for other states to do the same afterwards.

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Activist Ben Haith or "Boston Ben" created the first version of the Juneteenth Flag sometime in June of 1997. It was symbolic and commemorated the new found reason for African Americans everywhere in the US to celebrate. Ben is 81 years old this year and lives in Norwich, Connecticut. He spent around 35 years in Boston where he worked with many of the greats who fought for the same cause. To him he believes Juneteenth "means an awakening".

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June 17, 2021: Juneteenth Becomes a Federal Holiday

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June 17, 2021: Juneteenth Becomes a Federal Holiday

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A significant milestone in recognizing the importance of Juneteenth, President Joe Biden signed a bill making June 19th a federal holiday. This historic act officially acknowledges Juneteenth as National Independence Day, celebrating the final emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the United States.

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June 19, 2023: Nationwide Celebrations and Reflections

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June 19, 2023: Nationwide Celebrations and Reflections

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Communities across the United States continue to celebrate Juneteenth, using it as a day to reflect on the journey towards freedom and equality, and to honor the culture and contributions of African Americans. Festivities include educational events, parades, and various cultural displays that highlight the rich heritage and resilience of the African American community.

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“13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865).” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, 10 May 2022, www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment#:~:text=Passed%20by%20Congress%20on%20January,slavery%20in%20the%20United%20States.

“Appomattox Courthouse.” HistoryNet, 14 July 2012, www.historynet.com/appomattox-court-house-battle/#:~:text=As%20the%20messages%20moved%20through,Union%2C%20440%20for%20the%20Confederacy.

“Juneteenth.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, 2 June 2023, nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.

Servis, Joe. “The Surrender Meeting.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 14 June 2022, www.nps.gov/apco/learn/historyculture/the-surrender-meeting.htm#:~:text=In%20this%20final%20formal%20address,being%20“compelled%20to%20yield%20to.

Taylor, Derrick Bryson. “Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 13 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html.

Truitt, Brandon. “Ben Haith Recalls Designing the Juneteenth Flag -- in Boston.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 19 June 2023, www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news/ben-haith-juneteenth-flag-history-boston/.

Wood, Russ. “The Battle of Appomattox Court House.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 20 July 2020, www.nps.gov/apco/learn/historyculture/the-battle-of-appomattox-court-house.htm#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Appomattox%20Court%20House%20started%20during%20the%20early,Grant.