Juneteenth

Learn more about this holiday with some government information resources

Learn about the Juneteenth flag here.

Morning, everyone!

Today is Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, or Freedom Day. It commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, when the proclamation of General Order No. 3 delivered the news to the people of Texas that all enslaved people were free (more than two years after the release of the Emancipation Proclamation). Last year was the first year that Juneteenth was recognized and observed as a federal holiday. You can read President Biden’s statement on the observance of Juneteenth this year here.

There are many government information resources that you can use to learn more about the history of Juneteenth. Let’s take a look at a few!

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture provides a rich dive into the history and cultural tradition of Juneteenth. It includes written accounts, primary sources, videos, music, recipes, and photographs. It also includes an excellent recommended reading list.

National Archives and Records Administration

In a news article from 2020, NARA published some interesting historical information related to General Order No. 3. This historic document is kept in the National Archives building in Washington, D.C.

NASA

In NASA’s press release in observance of Juneteenth, the agency shared a photograph of Galveston taken at the International Space Station. It also announced the premiere of a documentary entitled “The Color of Space,” which will be available to watch today at noon EDT here. This documentary celebrates the legacy of Black astronauts.

Let me know what other information you discover about Juneteenth in the comments! Have a great day.