Juneteenth
Juneteenth Observance
Memorializing those who were Enslaved on the land we stand upon
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Cel-Liberation Day, is an American holiday that celebrates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation— which had been issued on January 1, 1863— was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas by Gordon Granger. Formerly enslaved people in Galveston celebrated after the announcement, and the following year, organized the first of what became an annual celebration of freedom. Over the years, celebrations spread beyond Texas.
Learn more about Juneteenth:
What is Juneteenth? From the History Channel
What is Juneteenth? By Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Teaching Juneteenth in K-12
Fire up the barbecue and enjoy some “hot links and red drinks” with friends and family
Here are 68 recipes from Black creators to celebrate Juneteenth
Why red food?
The practice of eating red foods—red cake, barbecue, punch and fruit– may owe its existence to the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo brought to Texas in the 19th century. For both of these cultures the color red is the embodiment of spiritual power and transformation. Enslavement narratives from Texas recall an African ancestor being lured using red flannel cloth, and many of the charms and power objects used to manipulate invisible forces required a red handkerchief. It’s clear that even in slavery’s aftermath, Afro-Texans had a rich food culture, created under adversity in communities with rich cultural origins and a diversity of influences, with a strong root in the foodways and cultures of West and Central Africa. |
-Michael W. Twitty, “Terroir Noire: African American Foodways in Slavery, Texas.” 2011, Afroculinaria
Explore the culinary traditions of Africa, African America, and the Africa Diaspora at Afroculinaria
Pour some strawberry iced tea and relax:
Read a book to celebrate Juneteenth no matter your age
Watch Miss Juneteenth (2020): Streaming on Amazon Prime
Participate in one of the Juneteenth community events happening across Virginia and the Washington DC area.
Listen to Rochelle Rice sing a rendition of the African American National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Explore the Juneteenth site of the National Museum of African American History and Culture where you can learn more about the historical significance of Juneteenth and the African American National Anthem, discover how to find your ancestors and search the records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, hear an African folk tale, and create a family flag for Juneteenth.
Know VT History: At Virginia Tech, Juneteenth is an opportunity to deepen knowledge around our shared history so that we may advocate for narratives that have been erased or forgotten. With this knowledge, we recommit to the Principles of Community and embolden ourselves—individually and collectively—to make Virginia Tech an anti-racist institution.