{"id":16547,"date":"2024-01-31T05:10:57","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T11:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/?p=16547"},"modified":"2024-01-31T05:10:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T11:10:57","slug":"juneteenth-celebration-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/juneteenth-celebration-ideas","title":{"rendered":"Juneteenth Celebration Ideas: 10 Ways to Mark This Important Occasion"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Juneteenth<\/p>\n

Now a <\/span>federal holiday<\/span>, Juneteenth is a relatively new concept to many Americans even though it has been celebrated since 1865. With increasing celebrations and recognition across the country, it\u2019s a perfect opportunity to learn more about <\/span>Black history<\/span> in <\/span>America<\/span>, foster understanding, and start critical dialogue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll share some of the best <\/span>Juneteenth celebration ideas<\/span>, including simple actions you can take to <\/span>support Black-owned businesses<\/span>, educational activities to learn more about <\/span>Black history<\/span>, and joy-filled ways to celebrate the day\u2019s <\/span>cultural significance<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the <\/b>History of Juneteenth?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Juneteenth is a day that marks the freedom of enslaved people. The<\/span> history behind Juneteenth<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is tied to acts during the <\/span>Civil War<\/span> and years of struggle to truly end slavery.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Emancipation Proclamation<\/span> technically ended slavery in secessionist Confederate states in 1863 during the <\/span>Civil War<\/span>, but the reality is that slavery continued for years afterward. The proclamation only applied to Confederate states and not slave owners in rebel-held territories where the <\/span>Union<\/span> was in control. Places like <\/span>Texas<\/span>, which <\/span>Union<\/span> troops still hadn\u2019t reached, continued to allow and even encourage slavery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until two years later in 1865 that <\/span>Union<\/span> army and General <\/span>Gordon Granger<\/span> finally reached <\/span>Texas<\/span> and the <\/span>end of slavery<\/span> was implemented. Juneteenth stands for June 19th, the day federal troops went to <\/span>Galveston<\/span>, <\/span>Texas,<\/span> and took control of the state. While the process wasn\u2019t instant \u2014 slavery officially ended months later with the 13th Amendment \u2014 it was the beginning of emancipation and celebrations broke out across the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following year was the first official <\/span>Juneteenth celebration<\/span>, called <\/span>Jubilee Day<\/span> \u2014 now also called <\/span>Emancipation Day<\/span>, <\/span>Independence Day<\/span>, or <\/span>Freedom Day<\/span>. The festivities included barbecues, church services, and dancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Texas<\/span> was the first state that made <\/span>June 19th<\/span> an official holiday in 1979<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. It would take more than 40 years for it to become a national holiday, when <\/span>President Joe Biden<\/span> signed a resolution in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, millions of Americans celebrate the <\/span>significance of Juneteenth<\/span> and <\/span>civil rights<\/span> progress with <\/span>Juneteenth activities<\/span>. Read on for <\/span>Juneteenth celebration ideas<\/span> to pay tribute to the importance of this historical day.<\/span><\/p>\n

10 Juneteenth Celebration Ideas<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here, we\u2019ve put together a list of ways to celebrate Juneteenth whether it\u2019s by <\/span>supporting Black-owned businesses, <\/span>attending a lively <\/span>cookout<\/span>, or listening to a <\/span>podcast<\/span>. The good news is that you can pay tribute to this culturally significant day not just on <\/span>June 19th<\/span> but <\/span>year-round<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. <\/b>Support Black-Owned Businesses<\/b><\/h3>\n

Spend the day supporting <\/span>Black-owned businesses<\/span> in your community. You can dine at a <\/span>Black-owned restaurant<\/span> or visit a shop that sells products from <\/span>Black artists<\/span>. You can use apps like<\/span> EatOkra<\/strong><\/span><\/a> to find Black-owned eateries across the country. If you\u2019re hosting a Juneteenth party, ask a <\/span>Black-owned business<\/span> to cater the event or supply the decorations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Celebrate With a <\/b>Cookout<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Juneteenth

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery<\/p><\/div>\n

Invitation Inspiration:<\/b> Juneteenth Flag Motif Invitation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cookouts<\/span> and <\/span>BBQ parties<\/a><\/strong> are a great way to get friends and family together to <\/span>celebrate Juneteenth<\/span>. Serve classic Southern fare like jerk chicken, baked beans, and deviled eggs. Many people choose to serve food using colors found on the <\/span>Juneteenth flag<\/span>, especially red. Red symbolizes the bloodshed and resilience of enslaved people. Popular <\/span>red foods<\/span> include <\/span>red velvet cake<\/span>, red meat sauces, and summer fruit like strawberries. Don\u2019t forget red drinks like <\/span>hibiscus<\/strong> iced tea<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Watch <\/b>Documentaries<\/b><\/h3>\n

Juneteenth is an <\/span>important day<\/span> and a great time to learn more about <\/span>Black culture<\/span> and history. Set time aside to watch <\/span>documentaries<\/span> on the <\/span>Civil War<\/span>, <\/span>social justice<\/span>, and racial equality. Look for films made by Black directors or featuring <\/span>Black artists<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Play <\/b>Juneteenth Trivia<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Deconstructed

Design: Signature Greenvelope<\/p><\/div>\n

Invitation Inspiration:<\/b> Deconstructed Flag Invitation<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Trivia is always a lively way to learn more about almost any topic. Play <\/span>Juneteenth trivia<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 <\/span>or trivia featuring Black pop culture topics like <\/span>Black Card Revoked<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. You\u2019ll have fun with friends and family and broaden your scope of knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Visit a Culturally Significant Site<\/b><\/h3>\n

Spend the day learning more about racial equality and the history of the <\/span>social justice<\/span> movement by visiting culturally significant sites. Most museums have special exhibitions at this time of the year and special presentations <\/span>on Juneteenth<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make a trip to the <\/span>National Museum of African American History and Culture<\/span>. If you can\u2019t make it to Washington D.C. <\/span>in person<\/span>, there\u2019s a<\/span>\u00a0virtual tour<\/a><\/strong> you can take instead. Consider visiting a local art gallery or historical society if they host a special celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some worthwhile options in larger cities across the country:<\/span><\/p>\n