How Many Days Until Juneteenth?
Juneteenth 2025 will be on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
About Juneteenth
Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops' arrival came two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
The History of Juneteenth
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." However, this proclamation couldn't be implemented in places still under Confederate control.
It wasn't until June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free, that freedom finally came for the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. This momentous day became known as "Juneteenth," combining "June" and "nineteenth."
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday in the United States.
Celebrating Juneteenth
Food & Community
Community cookouts and barbecues featuring red foods symbolizing resilience and joy.
Cultural Events
Parades, festivals, and performances celebrating African American heritage and culture.
Education
Lectures, readings, and exhibitions on African American history and achievements.
Music & Arts
Concerts and art exhibits featuring African American artists and performers.
The Juneteenth Flag
The Juneteenth flag features a star, a burst, an arc, and the colors red, white, and blue. The star represents Texas, the "Lone Star State," where Juneteenth originated; the burst represents a nova or new star, symbolizing new beginnings for African Americans; the arc represents a new horizon of opportunities and promises; and the red, white, and blue colors represent the American flag, a reminder that enslaved people and their descendants were and are Americans.