Juneteenth Celebrations Across America: A Powerful Response to Divisive Politics

2025-06-20 06:00:33.192

Juneteenth celebrations unfolded across the U.S. on Thursday, marking the day in 1865 when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Texas and attracting participants who said current events strengthened their resolve to be heard. The holiday has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations, but became more widely observed after being designated a federal holiday in 2021. President Biden attended a Juneteenth event in Galveston, Texas, stating that all Americans should know the weight and power of this day, contrasting with the Trump administration's efforts to ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and remove content about Black American history from federal websites. Celebrations included events in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where Robert Reid and Jordyn Sorapuru highlighted the importance of unity against divisive politics. The origins of Juneteenth are rooted in General Order No. 3, issued on June 19, 1865, declaring all enslaved people in Texas free. Celebrations also took place in Virginia, with a groundbreaking for rebuilding a historic Black church, and in Fort Worth, Texas, with Opal Lee's annual Juneteenth walk. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore announced pardons for thousands of simple marijuana possession cases. New Hampshire's events aimed to celebrate Juneteenth while highlighting contradictions in narratives about the nation's founding fathers. While Trump previously issued Juneteenth statements, his current silence and complaints about non-working holidays contrast with the holiday's significance. Despite New Hampshire lacking a permanent Juneteenth holiday, organizers remain hopeful about fostering unity and education through the celebrations.