Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day. When President Biden signed the legislation on June 17, it became the first national holiday established since Martin Luther King’s Birthday in 1983.
Juneteenth celebrates the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865. During the signing of legislation on Thursday, the President said, “Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come. This is a day of profound — in my view — profound weight and profound power.”
While Juneteenth is now being recognized on a national level, each state is celebrating in different ways.
The NewsBreak Creator Program is a network of hundreds of talented writers, journalists, video creators and more sharing original stories about their local communities. Here are list of articles and videos from NewsBreak creators on how different cities and towns across the country are celebrating and reflecting on Juneteenth:
The theme for Juneteenth is resilience in Baltimore by Kaleah Mcilwain
Memphis celebrates Juneteenth with festivals this weekend by Uncharted Travel
Traveling While Black in Seattle - Juneteenth 2021 Events by video creators Traveling While Black in Seattle
How Denver is celebrating the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth by Steven Bonifazi
Music, Dance, Food Trucks at the Delaware Art Museum's Juneteenth Egungun Festival on June 19th by Janine Paris
Decatur plans its first-ever Juneteenth celebration by Gené Hunter
Two days of music, dance, and history planned for Hagerstown’s inaugural Juneteenth Celebration by Kate Rader
About the Creator Program: Our Creator Program brings together professional journalists, experts, and high-quality content creators to deliver relevant, local, and original content. NewsBreak creators cover everything from in-depth investigative features to timely events happening around town. Find out more and apply at creators.newsbreak.com/creators.