Celebration of Juneteenth to Commemorate the Anniversary of the End of Slavery in America

On Wednesday, June 19 (30 Khordad), various events will be held across the United States to commemorate the anniversary of the end of slavery in America. This day, which is one of the federal holidays in the U.S., marks the liberation of African American slaves in 1865 following the end of the American Civil War. "Juneteenth," which translates to "June Nineteenth," is derived from the combination of the words "June" and "Nineteenth." On June 19, 1865, Gordon Granger, an officer of the Union Army, entered Galveston, Texas, and informed approximately 250,000 slaves that the Union Army had triumphed over the Confederate Army after four years of war. He told these Black slaves that Abraham Lincoln, the then President of the United States, had abolished slavery in the U.S. about two years earlier with the issuance of the famous "Emancipation Proclamation." Lincoln issued this proclamation in January 1863, but it was not enforced in the Southern states until the defeat of the Confederate forces and the end of the war. African American communities in the United States privately celebrated this date as the true end of slavery for decades. The first official Juneteenth celebration was held in Texas in 1980, and the state declared it a state holiday. The observance gradually expanded, and eventually, all fifty states recognized it in some form. However, efforts to make Juneteenth a federal holiday gained momentum during the "Black Lives Matter" movement against racism and police violence, especially after the murder of George Floyd, an African American, by a white police officer in Minneapolis. President Joe Biden, in 2021, signed a law passed by the U.S. Congress declaring June 19 (30 Khordad) as the eleventh federal holiday in the country. In a statement, Biden said he recognizes this "day of observance" and added that "this day not only marks the end of America's original sin of slavery but also signifies the beginning of work in the heart and soul of our nation, and the fulfillment of the promise of a true America for every American." Source: Voice of America. The anniversary of the end of slavery in America was commemorated with parades and music. The U.S. Congress added a day to the official holidays to honor the end of slavery. Beyoncé surprised her fans with a single release on "Freedom Day." American singer Pharrell Williams supported the establishment of "Emancipation Day" as an official holiday in Virginia.