WASHINGTON, DC – In advance of the upcoming Juneteenth federal holiday, which is recognized on June 19, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is encouraging all Rhode Islanders to mark the occasion with reflection, observance, and hopeful celebration.

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.  It is also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.  A blend of the words June and nineteenth, the holiday marks June 19, 1865: the day when U.S. Major General Gordon Granger and Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas and communicated news of General Order No. 3, which announced that, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, “all slaves are free” to the last remaining confederate outposts, who had yet to hear the news and where Black people were still enslaved more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.  It also came about two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army – an event generally considered to mark the end of the Civil War.

Over the years, Juneteenth has been celebrated by many Americans with family and community gatherings, parades, parties, and cultural exhibitions.

In 2021, Senator Reed helped pass legislation, the Juneteenth Independence Day Act, which President Biden signed into law, making Juneteenth an official federal holiday.

This year, Senator Reed plans to attend several Juneteenth events to help honor the holiday with fellow Rhode Islanders, including speaking engagements at the Newport Juneteenth commemoration at Washington Square Park in Newport and the fifth annual Juneteenth RI Festival in Roger Williams Park in Providence.  He also joined President Biden and Vice President Harris this week at the White House for a Juneteenth celebration in Washington, DC.

Today, Senator Reed stated:

“Great democracies must be honest about the past and learn from history.  I was proud to help make Juneteenth a federal holiday.  It is a day of reflection and emancipation celebration that commemorates the end of slavery and recognizes the enduring impacts of slavery and injustice.  It is also a joyous salute to freedom, liberty, and human dignity and an invitation to learn more about our shared American history.  It offers an opportunity to gratefully recognize the many historic contributions and achievements of Black Americans and honor their resilience, faith in our nation’s founding principle that all are created equal, and their service to that cause.  They have positively shaped and enriched our culture and communities, the state, and the nation in countless ways.  

“Juneteenth is also a day of hope and recognition that while the enduring stain of slavery persists, we must actively work to make our society more just and combat racial discrimination.  One of the ways we can do that is by ensuring voting rights for all and truly equal access to the ballot box.

“Even today, voter disenfranchisement and needless barriers to voting are all too common and often targeted at communities of color.  Our democracy is at its best when every voter has an opportunity to exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard.

“I hope Rhode Islanders from all walks of life will have an enjoyable and engaging Juneteenth celebration.  There are lots of ways to honor the day and be part of the celebration.  Together, we must all renew our commitment toward building a brighter future and more perfect union.”

In Rhode Island, Juneteenth has been recognized as an observance since 2012.