As Christians, we desire freedom for everyone, as this is the mission of Christ. And Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom.
By Natasha Menifee
“For freedom, Christ set us free” (Galatians 5:1a, CSB). Paul begins the fifth chapter of Galatians with this powerful statement. The mission, message, and ministry of Christ all centered on freedom—freedom from the bondage of sin that captures humanity.
Throughout the New Testament, Scripture speaks to the freedom the believer finds only in Christ Jesus—freedom from sin, death, and condemnation. Paul was not only the chief sinner (1 Timothy 1:15), but he was also the foremost speaker on freedom. He reminded the church at Corinth that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is also freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). To Galatia, he gave a charge to not “use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13, CSB).
As many reflect on Juneteenth, the same thoughts, desire, and spirit of freedom resonate throughout celebrations. Rooted and grounded on the freedom of those last to hear of their new-found freedom, Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States and the beginning of hope to live “free indeed.” Here are five facts to develop and grow our understanding and appreciation of the Juneteenth holiday.
1. The origin
June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after former President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, news of freedom reached Galveston, Texas. Although Lincoln signed the proclamation making it official on January 1, 1863, Texas was the last state to hear the news. And, therefore, slavery had continued. Not until General Gordon Granger and Union soldiers arrived did news of freedom reach Texas.
One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read General Order Number 3, which began:
The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.
This news was met with relief and excitement from former slaves as well as opposition from plantation owners. Nevertheless, that date would be forever marked in history and synonymous with the name Juneteenth.
June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after former President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, news of freedom reached Galveston, Texas. Share on X2. The name
The term Juneteenth was born out of a combination of the month “June” and the cardinal number “nineteenth.” Some may also know the holiday as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Juneteenth Independence Day. No matter your term of choice, the sentiment is the same—rejoicing over the end of the enslavement of African Americans.
3. The holiday
As the origin point for Juneteenth, Texas became the first state to designate Juneteenth as an official holiday in 1980. Over the years, other states began to recognize the day in some manner as well. In 2021, Congress passed legislation making Juneteenth an official federal holiday. It was signed into law on June 17, 2021, and the first federal recognition followed just two days later. After its declaration as a federal holiday, the celebration continued to grow.
4. The celebration
Tradition suggests a group of free men in Texas organized what is now known as the first celebration of Freedom Day on June 19, 1866, a year after General Granger made the announcement in Texas. Over the years, celebrations have expanded beyond Texas to states throughout the country.
In 1872, a group of former slaves purchased several acres of land in Texas that became known as Emancipation Park. This park became the annual location for Juneteenth celebrations. The park was also the only public park and swimming pool open to African Americans in Houston, Texas, until the 1950s. Today, the Emancipation Park Conservancy is not only dedicated to maintaining the park as the celebration place for the Juneteenth holiday, but they also provide programs and resources to benefit the community.
Celebrations have evolved into a variety of formats today such as parades, family gatherings, backyard barbecues, and community events. Events may include guest speakers and performances—all in a celebration of a rich history and to honor those who came before us.
Celebrating Juneteenth, people have an opportunity to pay tribute to the enslaved generations who never saw freedom along with those who were enslaved and fought for their freedom and ours. The holiday welcomes people from all walks of life, race, and ethnicity to commemorate a common purpose and lasting legacy—freedom.
5. The legacy
Now a national holiday, Juneteenth is celebrated in numerous cities and states across the country and the energy continues to surge. Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the past, while striving for a stronger present and future is the legacy for generations to come. Juneteenth celebrations bring awareness of African American history and culture not only to African Americans but to people around the world.
“Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the past, while striving for a stronger present and future is the legacy for generations to come.” — @n_menifee Share on XAs Christians, freedom should be our desire for everyone we meet, as this is the mission of Christ. It is for freedom we have been set free.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
Natasha Menifee
Natasha is a content editor for Black church partnerships at Lifeway Christian Resources.
