Deliberately consisting of a red, white, and blue color scheme just like the American flag, the Juneteenth flag has a white star in the center, meant to represent both Texas (the Lone Star State), as well as the freedom of enslaved people in all 50 states.
Is there an official Juneteenth flag?
That banner with a bursting star in the middle is the Juneteenth Flag, a symbolic representation of the end of slavery in the United States. The flag is the brainchild of activist Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF).
What are the colors of the Juneteenth flag?
What Do the Colors and Symbols of the Juneteenth Flag Represent? The flag’s colors — red, white and blue — were deliberately chosen by Haith to demonstrate that even throughout enslavement, African Americans were always American. And its design is just as symbolic.
What does Juneteenth flag mean?
The celebration started with the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas. They got the news the war was over and they were free in 1865 on June 19, a date that was melded into the word “Juneteenth.” The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day that slavery ended in the US.
Why was the Juneteenth flag created?
The Juneteenth flag was created in order to signify and solidify the holiday for all Americans, snd the Juneteenth flag is most noted for its distinct colors and shapes. Over two decades since its creation, people across the country are still utilizing the flag as a symbol of liberty and freedom for Black Americans.
Which states do not recognize Juneteenth?
According to the Congressional Research Service, a government body that provides research to inform lawmakers, South Dakota is the only US state that does not have a law to mark the celebration of Juneteenth. The most recent states to add a law recognizing the holiday are Hawaii and North Dakota.
Which state did not recognize Juneteenth?
Only one state — South Dakota — does not recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday or day of observance. And even there, legislators are pushing to add the holiday to the state’s list of formally recognized celebrations. “We should all be able to celebrate the end of slavery,” said state Sen.
Why is strawberry soda associated with Juneteenth?
Strawberry soda is a common feature of the Juneteenth holiday as a nod to the celebrations of slaves in Galveston, Texas, who on June 19, 1865, learned they were free. Those celebrations, according to the Journal Sentinel story, included red food and beverages “to symbolize the blood that was shed by the slaves.”
Why is it called Juneteenth Day?
Juneteenth honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The name “Juneteenth” is a blend of two words: “June” and “nineteenth.” It’s believed to be the oldest African-American holiday, with annual celebrations on June 19th in different parts of the country dating back to 1866.
Why is it called Juneteenth?
First things first: Juneteenth gets its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth,” the day that Granger arrived in Galveston, bearing a message of freedom for the slaves there.
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Why is red the color of Juneteenth?
It commemorates the day enslaved African Americans were freed on June 19th, 1865, ending slavery. From the foods eaten, festivals planned, and Juneteenth flag itself, there’s one color that symbolizes the rich history behind the holiday—red. … The colors represent the blood, soil and prosperity of Africa and its people.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday now?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. … President Joe Biden signed the bill ( Pub.L. 117–17 (text) (pdf)) on June 17, 2021, making Juneteenth the eleventh American federal holiday and the first to obtain legal observance as a federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983.
When did Juneteenth become a holiday?
Juneteenth is the first federal holiday to be created by Congress since 1983, when lawmakers designated the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in honor of the slain civil-rights leader. Texas was the first state, in 1980, to declare Juneteenth a holiday.
Who told the slaves they were free on Juneteenth?
Union leader Gordon Granger told the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas that they were free.