Juneteenth Holiday and Remembrance
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible — and there is still so much work to do.” — Barack Obama
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, the last state to do so in the confederacy on June 19, 1865. Slavery was completely abolished with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution in 1865 — two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The first official Juneteenth celebration came the year after the liberation of those enslaved in Galveston, but it would take more than a hundred years for Texas to consider it a state holiday. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio both signed legislation last year to make the day a city/state holiday. While just 46 states and the District of Columbia recognize the day as a state or ceremonial holiday, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. Finally, President Biden declared it a federal holiday this afternoon.
All our work is based on our commitment to the concept that every individual is empowered to participate in and have access to the full benefits of our society, including the protections of social justice.
Birch Family Services is proud to observe Juneteenth as a holiday, but also as a day of remembrance. All our work is based on our commitment to the concept that every individual is empowered to participate in and have access to the full benefits of our society, including the protections of social justice. Today, let us all celebrate together and reflect upon what we can all do to continue the fight for equality and justice for all.