English for Juneteenth, America's Newest Federal Holiday
In 2021, former US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This act helped create the nation's newest federal holiday.
But what makes "Juneteenth" special, and how do people celebrate it?
In this article, we'll explore the background of this holiday and introduce some activities connected to it. After that, we have a list of words related to Juneteenth to help you boost your vocabulary. Let's begin!
What is Juneteenth?
The American Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. In this war, soldiers from northern states fought soldiers from the south, and there was one big reason for it all: slavery.
In the southern part of America, it was acceptable to buy and sell people and treat them like property. The people used as slaves were Africans brought to America on large ships and sent to work on farms and in their owners' homes.
When Abraham Lincoln became president in 1861, he wanted to stop slavery from spreading to more parts of the country. When the southern states tried to split from the US, a war began that would decide the future of America.
In 1863, Lincoln published an important document called the Emancipation Proclamation, which officially made slaves in the US free people. But because the nation was still at war, it took time for this news to reach everyone.
Two years later, on June 19, 1865, northern soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news. On that day, the last people living in slavery finally learned they had become free. That's why the holiday is called "Juneteenth" — it's a combination of "June" and "nineteenth."
How is Juneteenth Celebrated?
There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth. Like other summer holidays, it's often a day for picnics, parades and other outdoor activities. In more formal situations, there are religious services and educational programs about the history of the holiday.
Additionally, it's common for people to read the Emancipation Proclamation as well as important works from famous African American writers like Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou.
Another popular tradition is singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is also known as the Black National Anthem.
Now that Juneteenth has become an official holiday in America, larger events are held, sometimes featuring celebrity guests.
Vocabulary Related to Juneteenth
The following words can all be used to talk about Juneteenth, but they're useful in other situations as well. Take a look at the example sentences to see how you can use them in your own conversations.
Liberation
Similar to "emancipation," "liberation" is a noun that means "the act of setting someone or something free."
On Juneteenth, we celebrate the liberation of enslaved people in America.
In the 1960s, women in America fought hard for liberation and rights equal to men.
Liberation comes from the root word "liberty," which you may recognize from New York City's famous Statue of Liberty.
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey to a special, and often historical, place.
Some people make pilgrimages to Galveston, Texas, or other historical sites connected to slavery on Juneteenth.
Although pilgrimages originally referred to religious or spiritual trips, these days it's also used in lighter situations, such as fans visiting famous locations from TV shows or films.
Many Harry Potter fans want to make a pilgrimage to the bookstore that was the inspiration for Hogwarts.
Commemorate
This is a verb meaning "to remember and show respect for an important person, event, etc."
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US.
We're having a party to commemorate the club's 50th anniversary.
Reunite
"Unite" is a verb that means "to come together." With the prefix "re-" added, the meaning changes to "to come together again."
Although you can use it for anyone meeting again after some time, it's often used in romantic contexts or for events involving close friends or family.
After the ending of slavery in America, many former-slaves tried to reunite with their family members, who were often sold to other owners.
After several months without seeing each other, the couple was excited to finally reunite.
Observe
This is a verb that usually means "to look at or notice something." However, its other meaning is "to celebrate a holiday."
Juneteenth was first observed in Galveston, Texas, in 1866.
Japan's Golden Week is observed from the end of April to the beginning of May.
Self-sufficient
Being self-sufficient means you are able to take care of yourself without needing help from anyone else. Think of it as another way to say "independent." The noun form is "self-sufficiency."
Juneteenth celebrates African Americans becoming self-sufficient after many years without control over their own lives.
You may not always have support from others, so it's important to be self-sufficient if you want to be successful.
Symbolize
A symbol is something that represents something else. For example, a flag can be a symbol for a country, and a logo can be a symbol for a company. "Symbolize" is simply the verb form of "symbol."
The star on the Juneteenth flag symbolizes Texas (the "Lone Star State"), the site of the first Juneteenth celebration.
Historically, the color purple symbolized royalty.
Wrap-up
Though it's not as famous as some other holidays, Juneteenth is an important celebration that honors the sacrifices of the past and reminds us to appreciate the freedom we all enjoy today.
We encourage you to learn more about Juneteenth and tell others about it! And be sure to use the vocabulary introduced here to talk about the next special day you celebrate.
To learn more about US holidays, check out this article next.
