What is Juneteenth, when is it and why do we celebrate it?

In 2021, President Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act establishing Juneteenth as the 11th holiday recognized by the federal government.

But that is not where Juneteenth started.

For some, Juneteenth is not a new holiday. Southern states such as Texas have been celebrating the newly federal holiday for 156 years.

Ahead of this year’s holiday, here are some Juneteenth facts you might not know:

What is Juneteenth?

The history of the holiday dates back to June 19, 1865 — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation became official — when Major General Gordon Granger of the Union army traveled to Galveston Texas after the Civil War was won with General Order Number 3, which informed enslaved African Americans that they were finally free.

Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas on January 1, 1980 led by African American state legislator Al Edwards.

New Jersey made Juneteenth an official state holiday on June 25, 2020.

Juneteenth is now a federal holiday also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day and Emancipation Day. It's an annual celebratory day that has been celebrated for 156 years to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

When is Juneteenth?

In New Jersey, Juneteenth is observed on the third Friday of June.

However, the federal holiday, established two years later, is observed on June 19.

Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth signifies African American freedom, celebrates Black American achievement and encourages continuous self-development, education and civility for all cultures. According to Juneteeth.com, as it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, "the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing."

In his proclamation, President Biden said it is important for America to confront its past as it builds to the future.

"The emancipation of enslaved Black Americans was not the end of our Nation’s work to deliver on the promise of equality — it was only the beginning," Biden wrote. "On Juneteenth, we recommit to our shared work to ensure racial justice, equity, and equality in America. We commemorate the centuries of struggle and progress led by abolitionists, educators, civil rights advocates, lawyers, activists, trade unionists, religious leaders, public officials, and everyday Americans who have brought our Nation closer to fulfilling its promise."

Why is it called Juneteenth?

The celebration of June 19th was coined “Juneteenth” by combining "June" and "nineteenth" and grew with more participation from descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for reuniting remaining family members. In its early years, the tradition was highly revered in Texas with many former slaves and descendants gathering together to celebrate in Galveston.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Juneteenth celebrates emancipation of African American slaves