Why celebration of Juneteenth is highlighted in 2020

The wave of anger and uncompromising demands for justice that are passionately igniting throughout the United States have led to many important cultural conversations about systemic racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and police reform.

In the midst of the heightened racial tensions is a renewed interest in Juneteenth, the 155-year-old holiday that is celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery. The word is a blend of 'June' and 'Nineteenth' and marks an important date in history.

Juneteenth stems from June 19, 1865 when union soldiers notified enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas that they were officially free and the Civil War was over. This direct notification came two years after president Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, finally becoming a reality. By the end of 1865, the 13th amendment was ratified to formally prohibit slavery throughout the United States.

From Tulsa, Oklahoma to Montgomery, Alabama, Juneteenth represents freedom and symbolizes the hazards and hopes of Black America throughout the years. It is not a national federal holiday, but the possibility looks promising with a petition that has gained national attention.

Juneteenth is now widely acknowledged by a long list of corporate companies that are honoring the sacred day as a paid holiday for employees. The companies include Twitter, Square, Netflix, Google, Target and many others. Nike also announced plans to make Juneteenth an annual paid holiday.

 

 

 

 

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We will continue to stand up for equality and work to break down barriers for athletes* all over the world. We will do and invest more to uphold longstanding commitment in supporting the Black community and partnering with world-class organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education. ⠀ ⠀ For more information, please click the link in the bio.

A post shared by Nike (@nike) on Jun 12, 2020 at 4:30pm PDT

A long list of corporate companies also released statements of solidarity that publicly acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement, in response to the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. 

This year, Juneteenth falls on a time when the world is paying close attention to race relations, systemic racism and demands for justice. The holiday, which marks a historical turning point, typically has about 200 official events throughout the United States.

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