Quick Summary
Juneteenth became an official holiday in Minnesota this year, following overwhelming votes in both houses of the state legislature, and Governor Walz's signature. Events are planned across the state, including the University of Minnesota's celebration in North Minneapolis on Saturday, June 17, "The Art of Freedom." Minnesotans can learn more about Juneteenth through eLibrary Minnesota, or by visiting their local library.
We celebrate Juneteenth every June 19. Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery in America and the pursuit of freedom. It’s also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day. It was only recently recognized as a federal holiday (in 2021), but Juneteenth has been celebrated all the way back to 1865. eLibrary Minnesota features resources that can help us learn about Juneteenth and its importance.
The Emancipation Proclamation was declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, making slavery illegal and establishing freedom for all, but the Confederacy refused to obey its dictates within their borders. Not until Union troops arrived were these states compelled to enforce the law. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, the last group of enslaved people in Texas received news of their freedom when Union troops arrived, almost two years after the Lincoln's declaration. In 1866, residents of Galveston celebrated that event's anniversary, and the tradition has expanded ever since. To learn more about the history of Juneteenth, you can visit the Juneteenth entry on Britannica Academic, available via eLibrary Minnesota.
Juneteenth is a day for celebration, but also a day to recognize the generations of slavery and racism that continue to impact African American communities today. An interview by the Washington Post with Lonnie G. Bunch III can help us understand. Lonnie G. Bunch III is the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In the interview, Bunch discusses the significance and importance of Juneteenth and why it is crucial to understand its implications, history, and impact in order to ensure future freedom. He reminds us that Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, but also a reminder of how easily it can be taken away, and that significant barriers to freedom remain. He advocates for an honest appraisal of our history, rather than its denial, in our continued pursuit of freedom. The entire interview is available on ProQuest, accessible through eLibrary Minnesota.
These library resources enable us to educate ourselves, not only on the history of Juneteenth, but about the history of slavery and its continued impact today. Juneteenth calls on us to continue our struggle towards freedom for all.
