06/19/2026 Juneteenth 2026
- Candace Nola
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Juneteenth is a time for celebration and of reflection for those of African American heritage; the direct descendants of enslaved Africans in America, the last of whom were not freed until June 19, 1865. A large concentration of still enslaved people was in Galveston, Texas and news of the Civil War being over did not officially reach them until June 19, 1865, over two years since the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. The enslavers knew, they just refused to obey the order. Though there were still some groups of enslaved peoples in other states, this day was the marked as the true beginning of the end of slavery for all of the slaves in America.
Today is also known as Jubilee, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day and is now recognized as a Federal Holiday since President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. Today should be about celebrating and acknowledging Black resilience, pride, and history. It should be a day of joy, learning, and reflection. A day to encourage greater understanding as to why the work to bring greater equality and justice to all is so important and is not nearly complete.
Learning about this event and others like it encourages empathy in others, especially in the younger generation, enabling a greater sense of responsibility toward everyone in their communities, not just those that look like them, but for everyone to feel included, valued, protected, and respected for their individuality, for their humanity, for their achievements and for their right to exist exactly the same as everyone else.
Online Events for learning and enrichment:
Books To Read for education and enlightenment:
Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America―The New York Times Bestselling Retelling of US History Through the Experiences of Black Americans: Harriot, Michael: 9780358439165: Amazon.com: Books
This is a thoughtful reminder of the importance of Juneteenth and the value of learning from history while celebrating progress and resilience. After reading meaningful articles like this, I often play bitlife which is a life simulation game that lets me explore different life paths, choices, and experiences from unique perspectives.