The National Museum of African American History and Culture refers to Juneteenth as our country’s second independence day. Short for “June Nineteenth,” it is also known as “Freedom Day” and “Emancipation Day.”
What Is Juneteenth?
On Jan. 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people who were in states that rebelled against the Union were now free. In the lead-up to the end of the Civil War in April 1865, Union soldiers traveled throughout Confederate states to read the proclamation.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, where the news had not yet reached enslaved people. They were the last to hear about their freedom. The following year, June 19 became a day of remembrance and “Jubilee Day” for the over 250,000 newly freed people. Juneteenth has since been widely celebrated in the African American community and is especially significant in Galveston.
Road to Federal Recognition
Texas became the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. The summer of 2020’s nationwide protests against police brutality and demanding racial justice brought an increased awareness of Juneteenth and its significance. Houston artist Reginald Adams and his team created a Juneteenth mural in 2021, and his work has rippled across the U.S. Juneteenth murals have since been painted in 14 different cities.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden officially signed Juneteenth into law as the 11th federally recognized U.S. holiday.
How To Celebrate Juneteenth in Nashville
- Juneteenth615 Restaurant Week is June 12-22. Feast on special or discounted menu items at 25 Black-owned restaurants.
- On Saturday, June 14, cyclists can participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Day Ride.
- Nashville’s best block party, Black on Buchanan, is June 14, with live music, arts and crafts, vendors, and food trucks. While free, you can pay for tickets to get access to things like VIP-only bathrooms, complimentary drinks, and reserved seating.
- The free Music City Freedom Fest at Hadley Park runs June 14-15, and includes vendors, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and live music.
- Listen to the Nashville African American Wind Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Monday, June 16.
- On Juneteenth, June 19, spend your morning at the National Museum of African American Music’s free community day.
- Later, go to Nashville’s big, free Juneteenth 615 celebration at Fort Negley, with live historical reenactments, music, food trucks, and fireworks.
