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Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Family, and Future!

Juneteenth or “Freedom Day” is a nationally recognized holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, the end of slavery in the U.S. after the Civil War. Learn more about the origins of Juneteenth by checking out last year’s Hub post.

Celebrating Freedom

Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Black and African Americans communities but celebrations have spread across the U.S. in recent years. In June 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is about honoring the past, celebrating progress, recognizing the continuing fight for human rights, and planning for the future. It is a day to reflect on the impact freedom and the achievements of Black and African Americans.

Celebrating Family

Juneteenth is a major highlight among families in Black and African American communities. Families gather to enjoy food, music, and one another’s company. Family celebrations are a focal point of Juneteenth largely because of the history of forceful family separation during slavery. Enslaved families were often torn apart and lost contact as slave owners sold and separated children and other family members. After their emancipation, many African Americans focused on searching for and reuniting with their lost family members by any means possible. This included buying newspaper ads and spreading news through word of mouth. Family was hard to find given slave owners had stripped individuals of their names and identities, however, “the number of years of separation did not deter people from hoping to reunite with lost loved ones.” In current day, Black and African American families use Juneteenth to celebrate togetherness.

Indiana Juneteenth Legacy

After President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, many freed slaves moved to the Norwood area located in southeast, Indianapolis to join the Union army. The big four railroads crossed through Norwood and provided avenues to quickly get the message out about the proclamation. The 28th Regiment, comprised of Black and African American troops, was formed in 1864. These troops fought in critical battles during the Civil War and in 1885, they were charged with delivering the message of freedom to salves in Galveston, Texas. Learn more about the 28th Regiment and their contributions by clicking here.

Call to action

Some ways to celebrate Juneteenth include:

Events

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