The House voted overwhelmingly in 2021 to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. And soon after, the president signed the bill into law.
This day commemorates the end of slavery. It’s also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.
On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, VA, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas. He informed enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended.
This day has been celebrated by some African-Americans since the late 1800s. Now that it’s a federal holiday, I hope many more of us participate in the recognition of when a dark time in our country’s history ended.
If you are not a part of the Black community, this observance would be a good time to lament this nation’s mistreatment of Black people and serve Black communities. Maybe it’s even a good time to expand your library or your social media following to include more people unlike yourself.
How to Celebrate in Albuquerque
Intentional Purchasing: In my opinion, one of the best ways to show up for the black community is with cold hard green cash money. This holiday is a great time to purchase from New Mexico black-owned businesses.
NM Juneteenth 2023 Event: You can spend a weekend celebrating the deep-rooted Black culture in New Mexico by attending the NM Juneteenth 2023 event. This free event in Civic Plaza runs from June 16 – June 18. This year the event will feature workshops inside the convention center in addition to all the entertainment happening on Civic Plaza. Kids corner, Black Excellence Avenue, and Black Wall Street will be back bringing you the best of Black culture.
Do you know of other local events celebrating this holiday? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
Round-Up of Resources & Articles
The Right Time to Talk about Juneteenth with Kids by Collin County Moms.
BBQ, Strawberry Soda, and Celebrating Juneteenth by Memphis Mom Collective.
Liberty and Justice for All: Why Should I Care About Juneteenth? by Miami Mom Collective.
Juneteenth: A White Mom’s Primer by Oklahoma City Mom.
Everything You Need To Know About Juneteenth by Orange County Mom Collective.
How to Prepare Your Family for Juneteenth Celebrations — And Why You Should by Fort Worth Moms.
Juneteenth: It’s Importance to Black History & How We Celebrate It by Twin Cities Mom Collective.
