Celebrating Juneteenth in Boston

On July 4, America marks its independence with brilliant fireworks displays, parades, and endless red, white, and blue-themed celebrations of patriotism. For many Black Americans, however, these celebrations fall short of reflecting their lived experiences and those of their ancestors. They instead look to another date, June 19, as a more fitting time to celebrate freedom, with a holiday known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, reached Galveston, Texas. they announced to the state that the Civil War was over and that all enslaved persons had been declared free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had become official over two years prior, the institution of slavery remained untouched in areas beyond Union control. In taking control over the state, the Union effectively liberated the remaining slaves in Texas. They also ended this specific form of slavery in America.

Juneteenth has become not only a time to commemorate Black liberation from the institution of slavery, but also a time to highlight the resilience, solidarity, and culture of the Black community. It is a time for Black Americans to reflect on their ancestral roots. They're also able to join together to celebrate the freedoms and lives that generations have fought to secure.

The holiday originated in the immediate aftermath of General Granger’s announcement to the people of Texas, when formerly enslaved persons joined in rejoicing over their newfound liberation. Newly-freed Black Americans in Texas continued to mark June 19 as their day of freedom with celebrations and parties in the following years. This happened in an open defiance of the threats that they faced in the Reconstruction era,

Juneteenth spread throughout the United States, sometimes family by family to new cities and frontiers. At other times, it spread far more rapidly, such as during the Great Migration. Local celebrations continued in the tradition of the original, often marked by food, dancing, and, increasingly, Black pride. Freedom remained a central theme of celebration. But, the narrative of community growth, progress, and resilience began to emerge as well. During the most difficult times, especially throughout the Jim Crow era, communities would use Juneteenth as an opportunity to find strength and peace in one another. Some celebrations even doubled as fundraisers for buying land to host subsequent celebrations. This was the case with the land that would become Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas.