What does Juneteenth celebrate? Plus, 10 ways to honor the day
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Explore what the celebration of Juneteenth is all about, including the powerful story behind June 19th and why it's important. Plus, 10 thoughtful ways to honor this historic day.
On June 19, 1865—more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation—Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with news: all enslaved people were now free. This painful, long overdue, and profoundly significant moment became the foundation for Juneteenth — a day where we as a nation hold space for joy and injustice in the same breath.
Racial prejudice and injustice has hardly been resolved in America (and around the world), and so Juneteenth is a day that carries a multitude of feelings. How can you celebrate hard-won freedom while also acknowledging that the fight for equality is far from over?
This complex day is rooted in honoring truth, amplifying voices, and remembering that progress doesn’t always happen swiftly and in a straight line.
If you’re wondering how to engage without feeling overwhelmed or performative, we’ve got you covered.
What does Juneteenth celebrate?
Juneteenth marks the day freedom finally reached the last group of enslaved Black Americans in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that all enslaved people were free. This came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
So what happened during that two-year gap?
In simple terms: Freedom was delayed. In Texas—geographically remote and sparsely populated compared to other Confederate states—slavery quietly persisted. Whether it was through strategic silence, willful neglect, or outright defiance of the law, enslavers kept people in bondage until federal troops arrived and freedom was enforced.
History tells us that this delay was not a clerical error. It was a reflection of a deeper truth, one that continues to echo today: that liberation for Black Americans has often been slow, incomplete, and resisted at every turn. Juneteenth doesn’t just celebrate the end of slavery. It spotlights how hard Black communities have had to work to claim and protect what was already supposed to be theirs.
That’s what makes Juneteenth so powerful. It’s a celebration of freedom, of course, but also of resilience. A celebration of community, and joy in the face of oppression. It’s about recognizing the pain of what was denied and the triumph of what was then reclaimed.
Juneteenth reminds us that the promise of equality must be more than words on paper. It has to be lived, enforced, and protected every day.
Why is Juneteenth important?
While its roots are historical, Juneteenth’s relevance is deeply important in modern day society. This day invites all Americans and people around the world to look at the distance between promise and practice, between what’s written into law and what’s felt in real life, because for so many black Americans, life continues to feel inequitable.
Juneteenth is also about presence. To mark the day, communities gather, tell stories, and enjoy music, food, and joy with loved ones. For generations, Black families have honored Juneteenth as a day of community, education, and resilience—long before it was ever recognized nationally. Now that it is a federal holiday, it creates space for the rest of the country to reflect and honor the ongoing movement for justice, equality, and visibility.
Juneteenth is a chance to ask ourselves: What does true liberation look like today? Who still lacks access to it? And how can we show up, not just in celebration, but in commitment?
In a world where people often want to “move on” too quickly—especially from painful memories—Juneteenth holds space to feel, to honor, to learn, and to build a future where no one has to wait years, or generations, to be seen, heard, or free.
💙 If Juneteenth feels heavy, explore our Minding Your Black Mind series with Dr. Rheeda Walker.
How to honor Juneteenth: 10 mindful ways to celebrate
Whether you’re deeply familiar with Juneteenth or showing up for the first time, here are 10 thoughtful, accessible ways to engage with the spirit of the day.
1. Learn the full story — and unlearn the myths
Start with learning the truth. Not a sugarcoated version, but the real one — where freedom was delayed, and where Black communities have carried the burden of educating others since that time.
Read about General Order No. 3 or explore the history of emancipation and Reconstruction.
Resources to start:
“Four Hundred Souls” (edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain)
“On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed
The National Museum of African American History & Culture’s Juneteenth portal
2. Support Black-owned businesses
Economic justice is a critical part of racial justice and Juneteenth is a great day to put your money where your values are. Find Black-owned restaurants, bookstores, beauty brands, creators, and service providers in your area and give them your business as often as possible.
3. Attend a local Juneteenth celebration
Look for events in your community like parades, art shows, panel discussions, film screenings, or music festivals. Many are organized by grassroots groups and it can give you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history and culture while also making an economic impact.
If you’re not sure where to go: Check social media, Eventbrite, or your city’s parks and rec page. Local Black churches, cultural centers, or community groups often host events as well.
4. Donate to organizations doing long-term racial justice work
Juneteenth is a celebration, yes, but it can also be a reminder of how far we still have to go. Consider supporting groups focused on systemic reform in education, housing, and voting rights. Even small monthly donations can create real impact.
Some options to explore:
Equal Justice Initiative
The Loveland Foundation
Black Voters Matter
National Bail Out
5. Hold space for reflection and emotional honesty
If you are not a Black American, you might not be sure how you can best participate in Juneteenth. Remember there’s no need for public virtue signalling. In fact, the best thing you can do is take some space for education and quiet reflection and learning.
Juneteenth is a powerful time to sit with all the feelings that may arise in response to this day. That could be discomfort, joy, grief, pride, or even having questions it brings up about what freedom really means, how you may benefit from white privilege works, or steps you want to take to help.
Read more: The power of self-reflection: 20 questions to help you reflect
6. Talk to kids about what Juneteenth really means
Children deserve more than watered-down history. If you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or cool aunt or uncle, use Juneteenth to talk about truth, equity, and courage.
Kid-friendly books include:
“Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
“Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free” by Alice Faye Duncan
“All Different Now” by Angela Johnson
7. Use your platform with care and clarity
If you feel the need to post something on social media in honor of Juneteenth, be sure to uplift Black voices. Share educational resources. Promote events and fundraisers that can help raise awareness. If you are not a Black American, resist the urge to make the post about you.
Ask yourself before you post: Is this honoring Black experience, or spotlighting me? How am I adding value,?
💙 Learn how to better support those in your life with our Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship series.
8. Make space for joy, rest, and celebration
Honor Juneteenth by celebrating the fullness and beauty of Black life, including music, dance, storytelling, art, food, and laughter. Many people in the Black community may choose to celebrate this day with rest, joy, relaxation, or celebration. If you count yourself as an ally to the Black community, it can be a great day to listen more than you speak.
Read more: Here are the 7 types of rest that can help you to feel fully renewed
9. Challenge bias in your everyday life
The work doesn’t stop on June 19th. Confront racism in your workplace, your community, and yes—yourself. Whether it’s calling out a microaggression, advocating for inclusive hiring, or rethinking how you consume media, Juneteenth can be a spark for deeper change.
Read more: How to be more assertive in your life (and why it's important)
Where to begin:
Add diversity to your media, books, movies, music and podcasts.
Learn how to intervene when you witness harm or racism. Sometimes just being present can help others feel safer.
Stay curious and open to learning and growth.
10. Make it more than a once-a-year thing
This isn’t about performative allyship. The most respectful way to honor Juneteenth is to carry its lessons into July, August, and every month after that. Keep showing up, even when it’s not trending.
What does Juneteenth celebrate FAQs
What is Juneteenth, and why is it important?
Juneteenth marks the day—June 19, 1865—when the last group of enslaved Black Americans in Texas learned they were legally free. (This took place more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.) It’s often called the “second Independence Day,” because for many, it represents the moment when freedom was finally enforced.
Its importance goes beyond history. Juneteenth reminds us that justice delayed is still justice denied, and that freedom without access, rights, and recognition is incomplete.
Juneteenth is a day to honor Black resilience, reflect on the deep roots of systemic racism, and recommit to creating a more equitable future.
Why June 19th? Why not January 1st (Emancipation Proclamation)?
The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free, but that freedom was neither immediate nor universal. Many enslavers ignored the order, and without Union enforcement, little changed on the ground, especially in larger, more remote areas like Texas.
It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3, that emancipation was publicly announced and enforced there. That’s why Juneteenth holds such emotional and historical weight. It marks the realization of freedom for those who had long been denied it, even after it was legally mandated.
How do people traditionally celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrations are as vibrant and diverse as the communities who hold them. Many involve gatherings like barbecues, parades, church services, musical performances, and storytelling events. Red foods and drinks are often served as symbols of resilience and ancestral bloodlines.
Some communities focus on education and activism, with lectures, panels, and workshops exploring Black history and justice work. Others lean into joy and togetherness, centering art, dance, and rest as forms of resistance and celebration.
What are some respectful ways to honor Juneteenth if I’m not Black?
The most respectful way to honor Juneteenth is to approach it with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Start by listening to Black voices, supporting Black-owned businesses, and educating yourself on the history that’s often been erased or softened. Reflect on how you may benefit from systems that have historically oppressed others—and what you can do to shift that.
Avoid making the day about your own feelings or need for validation. Instead, focus on solidarity. Attend public events with an open heart. Share resources instead of opinions. Donate, volunteer, or simply make space for joy and reflection. Being an ally on Juneteenth doesn’t require perfection—just presence, care, and action.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was officially designated a federal holiday in the United States. It became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983. This recognition came after decades of grassroots activism, particularly by educator and activist Opal Lee, who campaigned tirelessly to elevate the significance of the day.
While this designation is meaningful, it’s also just one step. Making Juneteenth a federal holiday doesn’t erase the work still needed to confront systemic racism. It does, however, create space for wider acknowledgment and education—an opportunity to deepen our understanding of American history and its ongoing impact.
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