Juneteenth 2022: What it means, how to celebrate and support Black culture

Annette Jones, Florida Today
·3 min read

Americans will soon celebrate the newest federal holiday signed into law in 2021 by President Joe Biden. Juneteenth, celebrated by African Americans for generations, commemorates a pivotal point in the end of slavery in the states as communities gather to celebrate, conversate and educate.

What does Juneteenth mean to you as a person of color?

Juneteenth is a time for celebration. It means that finally, not only are the trials and tribulations of our ancestors being recognized, but the crucial step beyond that, the part where we were actually emancipated, is also recognized and celebrated. That is a definite cause for jubilation and remembrance. Beyond that, Juneteenth should also be a time for reflection and an opportunity for race and equality dialogues among all communities.

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History lesson: Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom from slavery. But it didn't mean freedom for all.

Juneteenth has been a holiday for years. It's widely celebrated now. How does that make you feel?

"Lady Day," a quilt by artist Annie Toliver, displayed at the "Wade in the Water: Art and Quilt Exhibition" at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley. The exhibit features works by 25 Black artists in recognition of Juneteenth.
"Lady Day," a quilt by artist Annie Toliver, displayed at the "Wade in the Water: Art and Quilt Exhibition" at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley. The exhibit features works by 25 Black artists in recognition of Juneteenth.

I'm proud that steps are being taken to educate others about what Juneteenth is and why it is so important to the Black community. These communities are finally being heard and the sharing of information among cultures and racial inclusion is a big part of what The United States of America should stand for.

What are some of the misconceptions about Juneteenth?

One misconception about Juneteenth was that it was the actual day that slaves were liberated. Not exactly. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863 which freed African American slaves in Confederate states. However, it wasn't until almost two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, when the Union troops arrived and a group of enslaved African Americans in Texas learned that they were freed.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to tell the enslaved people that they had been freed, months after the Civil War ended. The word Juneteenth is derived as a portmanteau of June and nineteenth.

A group celebrates Juneteenth, a national holiday that marks a milestone in the end to slavery in the U.S.
A group celebrates Juneteenth, a national holiday that marks a milestone in the end to slavery in the U.S.

Is Juneteenth a national holiday in 2022?

Yes. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on June 19.  Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, giving federal employees the day off for the new holiday.

The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day that slavery ended in the U.S. -- June 19, 1865, several years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day that slavery ended in the U.S. -- June 19, 1865, several years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Are banks open on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth falls on a Sunday in 2022 and according to The Federal Reserve site banks will be closed on that day.  Because the holiday falls on a Sunday, most Federal Reserve Banks and Branches will be closed the following Monday, June 20, 2022.

Will post offices be open on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth falls on a Sunday in 2022 and the United States Postal Service will observe the holiday on Monday, June 20, 2022. USPS will not deliver regular mail or packages.

Are NYSE and Nasdaq open on Juneteenth?

No, both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market are closed on Monday, June 20, in observance of Juneteenth, which falls on a Sunday.

How can you celebrate the Juneteenth holiday?

  • Participate in local Juneteenth celebrations in your neighborhood

  • Support Black-owned business

  • Watch African-American TV shows or movies (many streaming services will offer this on their home screens)

  • Dine in or order takeout from Black-owned restaurants

  • Organize roundtable discussions with Black community leaders to educate others on the history and importance of the holiday

Annette Jones is a digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida and is based at the Palm Beach Post.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Juneteenth: Newest federal holiday celebrates freedom, Black culture