What Is Juneteenth? Why It’s Celebrated, How It Will Be Affected By Coronavirus

Juneteenth (also known as June 19), is an important day in American history, but some people likely still don’t know what is so special about this particular date on the calendar and why it is celebrated around the country. However, in 2020, the holiday may have even more significance.

To those who are direct descendants of slaves, the date has major significance, because it is the oldest known celebration to commemorate the official end of slavery in the United States. According to Juneteenth.com, it dates back to June 19, 1865, which was the date that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, and brought the news that the Civil War was officially over. Those who were then previously enslaved in the area were officially free men and women.

What makes the celebration even more important is that the official end of slavery was declared two and half years earlier with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, but because Union troops weren’t overly prevalent in the Texas area, the law wasn’t enforced to as strong of a degree, meaning some slaves were still held longer.

Because of the significance of the holiday, it is celebrated nationally by many through events that honor what it stands for. However, in 2020, a year that has been marked by not only a continued fight against racial injustice against Black Americans but also the coronavirus pandemic, the celebrations aren’t going to be quite the same.

While there are usually festivals featuring entertainment, food, music, dancing, and more, due to various restrictions and stay-at-home orders still in place throughout the U.S. due to the pandemic, nearly all events have changed to some sort of virtual or more one-on-one approaches.

Some events worth noting include:

• 2020 MLK Juneteenth Drive-Thru Celebration: This event, which will take place at the Dallas, Texas, MLK Center, which is closed to the public due to the pandemic, will be a drive-thru one through the center’s parking lot, where those are interested can receive free non-perishable food items, hygiene kits, household products and more.
• 2020 Virtual Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival: This event, which is usually a street festival, will be a five-hour event on June 20.
• Food For The Body, Food For The Soul: Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, this event will feature live-streamed cooking demonstrations, virtual community dialogue, and a concert.
• Juneteenth Celebration 2020: This virtual webinar, hosted by the First AME Church of Farmington Hills in Michigan, is a free event that will feature a virtual market place, vendors, and more. According to the event’s page, storyteller LaRon Williams will also be a part of the festivities, as well as a worship service. Registration is required via Eventbrite, and a full schedule of activities can be found here.
• Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Also in Dallas, this event is hosted by Free The Streets and will take place at the Pan-African Connection Bookstore Art Gallery and Resource Center.
• Juneteenth NYC: This virtual event is being called “Changing the Narrative By Creating Attributes of Community Healing.”
• Juneteenth Rock Hill: This virtual event will take place via Facebook and Instagram Live.
• South Pearl Street Festival: This Albany, New York, event, which will be held virtually, will feature performances, vendors of color, and a focus on history throughout the entire day.