Honoring Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the longest running African American Holiday in the United States.

Two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that emancipated enslaved African Americans, it is estimated that at least 250,000 were still illegally in bondage in Texas.  On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay with news of freedom and to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.

The day became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day.  Juneteenth is informally known as the United States second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, and many states have had declarations or recognitions this history and significance was largely unknown to many Americans until recent years with the push for Juneteenth to be recognized as a holiday.

In 2021, after years of activism led by Opal Lee, known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth,"  Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Celebrate Freedom!

Early Juneteenth celebrations date to 1866, that involved church-centered community gatherings in Texas. Celebrations then spread across the southern states with a focus much on freedom, community, and family. The Great Migration brought these celebrations to the rest of the country where the celebrations grew into larger festivals and community events with the continued focus on freedom.

Today, Juneteenth celebrations include prayer and religious services, speeches, educational events, health fairs, family gatherings and cookouts, concerts and community festivals with food, music, and dancing.

The Cookout

The Black American cookout is more than a meal it’s a cherished tradition of family, culture, community, and joy. Across generations, cookouts have brought people together in backyards, parks, front porches, beaches, and neighborhood streets to laugh, dance, tell stories, and share food made with love.

For Juneteenth the cookout centers around celebrating freedom with food and drinks. The traditional menu includes red foods and drinks to symbolize the blood shed by our ancestors in pursuit of freedom. In addition, grilled meats is a staple for Juneteenth.

According to Adrian Miller, author of “Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue,” the meats smoked on Freedom Day reflected local traditions and regional tastes. In some parts of Texas, goat was the centerpiece of Juneteenth celebrations. Other communities favored whole hog barbecue, while some were known for beef. In many places, the feast brought all three together.

In addition:

• Black Americans were among the original pit masters, bringing grilling and smoking traditions from West Africa and blending them with Native American cooking practices to help shape the art of barbecue in the United States.
• Grilled meats are often served with barbecue sauce, adding another layer of symbolism through the color red, which is traditionally associated with Juneteenth celebrations.

This year, to celebrate Juneteenth, OPL is hosting a Pre-Cookout at the Main Library June 7, 1:30-4:30 p.m. 

There will be red foods and drinks, games, music, line dancing and more. Join us!