Juneteenth 2023: How to Celebrate the End of Slavery in America
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It falls on June 19 every year, marking the date in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas learned that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is a time to honor the struggle and resilience of African Americans who endured centuries of oppression and discrimination. It is also a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to the nation's history and culture.
But how can you celebrate Juneteenth in 2023? Here are some ideas to help you plan your festivities.
Learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth
One of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to learn more about its history and significance. You can read books, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, or visit museums that tell the stories of enslaved people and their liberation. You can also explore online resources, such as:
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture's website, features a virtual exhibition on Juneteenth and a collection of artifacts related to slavery and emancipation¹.
- The Smithsonian Institution's website, which offers a guide to Juneteenth events and activities across its museums and cultural centers².
- The Library of Congress's website, provides access to historical documents, images, audio recordings, and videos about Juneteenth and the Civil War era³.
Attend or organize a Juneteenth parade or festival
Another way to celebrate Juneteenth is to attend or organize a parade or festival in your community. Parades and festivals are traditional ways of celebrating Juneteenth, dating back to the late 19th century. They usually feature music, dancing, food, speeches, performances, and educational activities that showcase Black culture and heritage.
You can check your local newspapers, websites, or social media platforms for information on Juneteenth events near you. You can also contact your local government officials, community organizations, churches, or schools to see if they are planning or supporting any Juneteenth celebrations.
If you want to organize your own Juneteenth parade or festival, you can follow these steps:
- Form a committee of volunteers who are interested in planning and hosting the event.
- Choose a date, time, location, and theme for your event.
- Apply for any permits or permissions that you may need from your local authorities.
- Secure funding or sponsorship for your event from local businesses, foundations, or donors.
- Invite speakers, performers, vendors, exhibitors, and media outlets to participate in your event.
- Promote your event through flyers, posters, social media posts, newsletters, or word-of-mouth.
- Set up and decorate your venue with flags, banners, signs, balloons, or other items that reflect your theme.
- Enjoy your event and thank everyone who helped make it possible.
Support Black-owned businesses and organizations
A third way to celebrate Juneteenth is to support Black-owned businesses and organizations in your area. By doing so, you can show your appreciation and solidarity with the Black community and help them thrive economically and socially.
You can find Black-owned businesses and organizations near you by using online directories, such as:
- The Official Black Wall Street app⁴, which helps you discover and support over 6,000 Black-owned businesses across various categories.
- The EatOkra app⁵, which helps you find and order from over 2,500 Black-owned restaurants across the country.
- The WeBuyBlack website⁶, which helps you shop from over 10,000 Black-owned products ranging from clothing to books to electronics.
You can also support Black-owned businesses and organizations by donating money or time to causes that matter to them. For example,
- You can donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which fights for racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and education.
- You can donate to the United Negro College Fund, which supports historically Black colleges and universities and their students.
- You can volunteer with the National Urban League, which empowers African Americans through economic development,
education,
health,
and civic engagement.
Celebrate with family and friends
A fourth way to celebrate Juneteenth is to celebrate with your family and friends. You can host or join a barbecue, picnic, cookout, or potluck where you can enjoy delicious food, drinks, and desserts. You can also play games, tell stories, sing songs, or watch movies that celebrate Black culture and history.
Some of the traditional foods that are associated with Juneteenth are:
- Red foods, such as watermelon, strawberries, red velvet cake, or hibiscus tea, which symbolize the blood and resilience of enslaved people.
- Soul food, such as fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, or cornbread, which reflect the culinary traditions and influences of African Americans.
- Barbecue, such as ribs, brisket, or pulled pork, which represent the communal and festive nature of Juneteenth celebrations.
Some of the games, stories, songs, or movies that you can enjoy with your family and friends are:
- Games, such as spades, dominoes, bingo, or trivia, which test your skills and knowledge and foster friendly competition.
- Stories, such as folktales, legends, myths, or biographies, which teach you about the history and culture of African Americans.
- Songs, such as spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, soul, funk, hip hop, or R&B, which express the emotions and experiences of African Americans.
- Movies, such as Roots, Glory, Selma, Hidden Figures, Black Panther, or Judas and the Black Messiah, which portray the struggles and achievements of African Americans.
Reflect on the meaning and relevance of Juneteenth
A fifth way to celebrate Juneteenth is to reflect on its meaning and relevance for you and your community. You can use this time to think about how far we have come as a nation in terms of racial equality and justice and how far we still have to go. You can also use this time to think about how you can contribute to the ongoing fight for freedom and dignity for all people.
You can reflect on Juneteenth by:
- Writing a journal entry or a letter to yourself or someone else about what Juneteenth means to you and how you plan to honor it in your life.
- Having a conversation or a debate with someone who has a different perspective or experience than you about Juneteenth and its implications for today's society.
- Joining or starting a book club or a discussion group that focuses on reading and talking about books or articles that relate to Juneteenth and its themes.
- Taking action or making a commitment to support a cause or an initiative that advances racial equity and justice in your community or beyond.
Conclusion
Juneteenth is more than just a day off from work or school. It is a day to celebrate the end of slavery in America and the beginning of a new era of freedom and opportunity for African Americans. It is also a day to remember the sacrifices and contributions of those who fought for emancipation and those who continue to fight for equality and justice today.
By learning about the history and significance of Juneteenth, attending or organizing a parade or festival, supporting Black-owned businesses and organizations, celebrating with family and friends,
and reflecting on the meaning and relevance of Juneteenth, you can join millions of Americans in honoring this important holiday.
Happy Juneteenth! 
.
Source:
(1) Juneteenth 2023 - Calendar Date. https://www.calendardate.com/
(2) A Beginner's Guide To Juneteenth: How Can All Americans Celebrate?. https://patch.com/us/across-
(3) Juneteenth 2023: St. Joseph M.B. Church celebrates freedom with parade through East Garfield Park. https://abc7chicago.com/
(4) The story behind Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday. https://www.khou.com/article/
(5) What's closed and what will remain open on Juneteenth 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/
(6) A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2023. https://www.whitehouse.gov/
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