This year, the US Congress officially passed a bill that makes Juneteenth a national holiday. So, June 16th, 2021 will be the first of its kind! It took a while, right? 🙄 Considering Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years! Here's a little bit more about what Juneteenth is and why it's important.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth was first celebrated on 19th June 1865 to celebrate former slaves new found freedom. It was started by a group of African-Americans in Galveston, Texas who only found out they were free two years after President Johnson signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Why Is The Juneteenth National Holiday Important?
Juneteenth in itself is important because it celebrates the freedom in the progress Black people have made in society. It's also an opportunity to reflect on how much more work needs to be done. And chile, don't we know there is still a long way to go for racial equality?
Juneteenth becoming a National holiday also says a lot, because it acknowledges that the slaves weren't TRULY free on July 4th, when America gained its Independence from Britain.
How To Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth is all about living your best Black-owned lifestyle. At Everyday Froday we are all about that life. Juneteenth isn't spoken about much in the UK, so if you're UK-based, you can be that voice to share its importance, not just for Americans, but for us here too!
And wherever you are in the world, you can celebrate by boldly wearing our Guided By My Ancestors Tee, which SCREAMS Black culture! Even if you're not part of the Black community, we have an Ally Tee you can flaunt too. We are all in this together!
Happy Juneteenth to all!