Happy Juneteenth with Swag, Gifts and Merchandise

When is Juneteenth 2023? Juneteenth takes place on June 19th each year and it’s a very significant holiday.

Juneteenth honors the past, celebrates progress, and builds upon the commitment to freedom for all. But if you’re not familiar with the holiday, you may be wondering, what is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth commemorates the official end of slavery. Though President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had taken place 2 years earlier, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that words reached the enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. It was then that they were told they were free, marking the official end of slavery in America.

So why is it called Juneteenth?  Juneteenth is a reference to the holiday’s date, June 19th. Though Juneteenth has been referred to by a number of other names including:

• Jubilee Day
• Emancipation Day
• Freedom Day
• Black Independence Day
• Juneteenth National Freedom Day

Regardless of what name is used, each year, African Americans gather with their loved ones and communities to celebrate this important date in American history. A Juneteenth celebration honors the joy of Black freedom in America and supports the continued fight for equality for all. 

So, when did Juneteenth become a holiday?

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans for over 150 years. But it wasn’t always a federal holiday. So when did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? June 19th was officially recognized as a federal holiday in America in 2021. 

When was Juneteenth created? 

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African American communities since the freeing of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, TX in 1865. So if you’re wondering, when did Juneteenth start? It technically began on that fateful June 19th, 1865. 

Is Juneteenth a national holiday? 

Yes, since 2021. 

The celebration of Juneteenth not only commemorates the momentous occasion of the end of slavery in America, but it also supports the ongoing commitment to racial justice and equality in America. There are plenty of ways that this holiday can be commemorated, honored, and celebrated.

The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation works to ensure that African American voices are uplifted and that Juneteenth is continually commemorated and celebrated in America. So how can you show your support for this important holiday and celebrate?

Community and public gatherings are an integral piece of this holiday, which is why public Juneteenth celebrations are one the most popular ways to celebrate.

But why are public gatherings so important and significant for Juneteenth? Well, in the aftermath of the Civil War, came the Reconstruction Era and the Jim Crow Era. So despite the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans weren’t immediately “free.”

In fact, the same General announced their freedom in 1865 and also announced that the newly freed African Americans were prohibited from publicly gathering. So celebrations of Juneteenth were held at secluded lakes and rivers instead. Eventually, enough money was raised to buy public sites to gather at, such as Emancipation Park in Houston. 

These celebrations became a way for families that had been torn apart to gather and reconnect. These celebratory events were full of food, music, dance, and good company. And as large numbers of Black people migrated from the South to the North because of economic opportunities these celebrations became extremely culturally significant within communities. 

Today, these Juneteenth Events, such as festivals and public celebrations, represent the persistence and strong sense of community for African Americans. 

Some ways to participate in Juneteenth events include:

• Juneteenth programming at your local library
• Local festivals
• Nearby parades open to the public
• Other local Juneteenth events
• Virtual Juneteenth celebration

Juneteenth activities with friends and family are another great way to celebrate. Some ideas for Juneteenth activities include: 

• Read a Juneteenth book.
• Collect inspiring Juneteenth quotes and fill a jar with these quotes.
• Throw a Juneteenth Party with music, dancing, food, and snacks.
• Make a Happy Juneteenth sign.
• Have children write a story or poem about Juneteenth.

Juneteenth gained major internet popularity during Juneteenth 2020 due to the Black Lives Matter movement. Many people began spreading important Juneteenth knowledge whether via a Juneteenth website or social media.

So, why is Juneteenth important? Juneteenth is so important because it symbolizes freedom and the continued fight for equality for all. Juneteenth also celebrates all of the progress that has been made since the last slaves were freed over 150 years ago. 

You may also be wondering, why is it called Juneteenth and not June 19th? There’s no specific reason why other than it’s a memorable name.

Juneteenth gifts are a great way to spread the word about this special holiday. Here are a few Juneteenth gift ideas…

Juneteenth Gift Basket

This Black-Owned Businesses Gift Box helps support the voices we aim to uplift on Juneteenth. This is a gift for a good cause!

Juneteenth Swag

If you plan on attending any Juneteenth events, a great gift to give you and your fellow event attendees would be custom Juneteenth merchandise. Use swagmagic.com to create custom Juneteenth merch.

Juneteenth T-shirt

A T-shirt with Juneteenth-themed designs or quotes.

Juneteenth History Book

A book discussing Juneteenth's history and importance.

Juneteenth-Themed Jewelry

Jewelry featuring symbols or colors associated with Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Artwork

Artwork that reflects the themes of Juneteenth, made by Black artists.

Juneteenth Cookware or Recipe Book

A cookbook of traditional African American recipes or themed cookware.

Juneteenth also has a flag to symbolize the holiday. The original Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. The present version of the Juneteenth Flag was first flown in 2000 and is used today to represent everything that Juneteenth stands for.

The Juneteenth flag colors are red white and blue. The Juneteenth flag colors meaning symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States. The colors were chosen because the enslaved African Americans from Galveston were Americans and their descendants are Americans. 

So, we hope you learned something valuable about this important holiday. Happy Juneteenth!