*** Note: This blog was written by our former Content Specialist Sammantha Rials.

“Juneteenth” is now officially recognized as a national holiday in the United States of America. 

On June 17th 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law stating that Juneteenth is a national holiday in the United States. 

This landmark holiday represents the day that slavery was abolished in America. 

On June 19th of 1865 federal troops came to Galveston, Texas to ensure that all slaves would be freed. The term “Juneteenth” is short for “June 19th”, a commemoration of one of the most monumental shifts toward equality. Texas has been celebrating Juneteenth since 1979 and many other states have since followed suit. 

Houston, Texas celebrates Juneteenth with different events such as a Juneteenth Historical Bike Tour and Juneteenth weekend fun event. Atlanta, Georgia hosts the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and music festival, a three-day event that offers music, face-painting, and more. 

Similarly, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center holds an MLK Juneteenth Drive-Thru Celebration. Charleston, South Carolina holds the Gullah Juneteenth Freedom Celebration.

Here at Peace360 Initiative, we know how important it is to honor each and every holiday celebrating the rights of humans around the world. We are so happy that Juneteenth is finally a nationally recognized holiday and we urge you to continue researching and learning more ways to advocate and educate folks on Juneteenth and racial equality. 

If you celebrated Juneteenth this year, please comment below and let us know what you did in honor of the holiday.