Juneteenth Celebration Background

Juneteenth (1865) A Celebration

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, 1865, marks the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, effectively ending slavery in the United States. This event occurred more than two months after the Civil War had officially ended. The day is now commemorated as a significant milestone in American history, symbolizing the end of chattel slavery and the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when the 117th U.S. Congress enacted and President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.

The founders of Juneteenth include:

  • Rev. Ronald V. Myers Sr, who was an activist and founder of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, promoting the commemoration of Juneteenth. 

  • Opal Lee, who is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” she played a significant role in advocating for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday. 

  • Ben Haith, was the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF) and created the Juneteenth flag, symbolizing the history and freedom of African Americans. 

PORT ST. LUCIE – The City of Port St. Lucie hosted an event to commemorate Juneteenth that is dedicated to honoring history, uplifting voices, and fostering unity and conversations. Juneteenth is a Celebration of Unity and offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom, engage in meaningful conversations and embrace the diversity that makes Port St. Lucie one of only two fully integrated cities in the United States.