What is Juneteenth?

The holiday's origin story begins in Galveston, Texas, which was the western-most area of the Union in 1865. When enslaved people there were told of their emancipation on June 19, 1865, they had technically already been freed two-and-a-half years prior, when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Slaveholders in Texas had kept the information to themselves, extending the period of violent exploitation of enslaved African Americans. The following year, in 1866, a celebration was had in Texas, the first Juneteenth observance to recognize freedom from slavery in the U.S.

When is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th. The holiday's name is a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth." It commemorates the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation (and their subsequent freedom from chattel slavery) reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, three years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation.

It is considered the longest-running holiday in African American and Black communities, and was often observed with community celebrations on the third Saturday in June. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 after the U.S. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. 

Our friends at PBS KIDS for Parents have shared some great ideas if you're looking for ways to celebrate Juneteenth with your family.

Learn about Juneteenth foods, their meaning and African American culinary history. Plus find recipes for red foods that you can bring to your next Juneteenth celebration!

Meaning and history of the Juneteenth flag

The flag we see today is the work of artist Lisa Jeanne Graf, who modified the original Juneteenth flag created in 1997 by Ben Haith, the founder of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF).

The Juneteenth flag is red, white, and blue. We see the same colors as the USA flag to acknowledge that formerly enslaved people and their descendants are Americans. There is an arc across the flag, symbolizing a new horizon and hope for the future. The star at the flag’s center is a nod to Texas, the Lone Star State, where Juneteenth was first celebrated. The burst outlining the star suggests a new star, a new beginning. The date of the first Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) is often added to the flag, as well.

Juneteenth Jamboree | Austin PBS

Texas (and much of the U.S.) commemorates Emancipation Day as Juneteenth. This series delves into the history of the holiday, and celebrates black culture and art.

See past Juneteenth Jamboree films from Austin PBS.

More Juneteenth documentaries to stream

Our friends (you know, like local PBS stations and documentary producers) always, we mean always, have great collections of films to offer.

In commemoration of Juneteenth, and to honor Black history, freedom and achievement, WORLD Channel invites you to stream films that champion Black stories, rights and the continuing fight for equality.

You can watch even more programs and documentaries that explore the Black experience in the U.S. in our Honoring Juneteenth playlist - now streaming on the PBS app.

Here's what we shared on Juneteenth, 2021:

This year, many communities either learned about Juneteenth for the first time or gathered cautiously as the COVID-19 pandemic continued into its second year. Here are some of the local programs that highlight Black voices across the country in celebration of Juneteenth.

KQED in San Francisco, California has photos from Berkeley's Juneteenth festival. It has been held annually since 1986 (save once in 2008) and has come to commemorate not only black history and traditions, but also the preservation of community in light of increasing displacement.