President Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 2021 with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in attendance. (Photo Courtesy of Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

“Juneteenth, a combination of June and nineteen, or Emancipation Day, 

is recognized as the day slaves were freed from bondage.”

Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates the history of the emancipation of slaves in the United States.   Juneteenth, a combination of June and nineteen, or Emancipation Day, is recognized as the day slaves were freed from bondage.   On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that the American Civil War had ended and all slaves had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  
Former slaves began celebrating Juneteenth in 1864, at the anniversary of the date and at the site of General Granger’s announcement in Galveston, Texas.  Celebrations began growing and spreading around the country.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are 

created equal.” 

The U.S. Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” Recognizing Juneteenth as a national independence day is a step that could have come sooner, but ultimately recognizes America’s history and national recognition that true equality should be afforded to all. 
In 2020, during the pandemic shutdown, UNITED SIKHS joined Juneteenth events around the country, marching in solidarity against police violence and providing water and hot, cooked meals to protestors. UNITED SIKHS joins in the first Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations and pledges to continue its mission to empower and aid those in need and to advocate for justice for everyone.
 
UNITED SIKHS
Eva Landeo
Media and Development Coordinator