Juneteenth, which occurs on June 19, honors the historic day in 1865 when the last of the enslaved people in the U.S. were granted freedom after Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the the Civil War was officially over. In the decades since, Juneteenth has become a celebration that’s recognized in all 50 states.
The biggest symbol of Juneteenth is its flag—a red, white, and blue fabric, with a bursting star placed against an arc.
The first flag that represented the holiday was created in 1997 by Ben Haith, the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF). Three years later, artist Lisa Jeanne Graf explained on her website that she “fine tuned” the original version, resulting in the flag we see today.
What do the flag’s colors and symbols mean?
You’ll see that the Juneteenth flag uses the exact same colors as the US flag: red, white, and blue. This was intentional and meant to show that the formerly enslaved and their descendants are free Americans, too.
According to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, here’s what the individual symbols depicted in the flag represent:
- The Arc: A new horizon, meaning fresh opportunities and promising futures for Black Americans
- The Star: Not only is it a nod to the Lone Star State (where Juneteenth was first celebrated in 1865), but it also stands for the freedom of every Black American in all 50 states
- The Burst: The outline surrounding the star is meant to reflect a nova— or new star—which represents a new beginning for all
And in 2007, the date of the first Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) was added to the flag.
Here are ways you can celebrate Juneteenth—while supporting organizations striving to create a more just society for all.
Live from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles at 8PM ET on June 19, CNN will broadcast an inaugural marquee event: Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom. Produced by Black creators Shawn Gee of Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, the concert will celebrate Juneteenth and highlight the ongoing fight for equality in the Black community.
During CNN’s pre-show coverage of the event beginning at 7PM ET, CNN’s Don Lemon will honor Black artists and advocates working to rectify inequality. Amid the celebration, the event will also recognize the work that’s left to do in the fight against racial injustice.
Make history alive
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture is hosting live and in-person events offering engaging, educational opportunities that celebrate the dynamic lives of African American ancestors and their civic contributions toward a more equitable future.
Invest in education equity and justice
There are many organizations fighting for equity through education and empowerment. With your engagement, these groups can make a larger impact on communities across the country. Here are few ways you too can get involved.
- National Urban League is committed to the advancement of African Americans through economic empowerment, equality and social justice. Since 1910 the organization has promoted the advancement of Black Americans through an array of community and national initiatives. Among the causes championed by the organization: education, job training, workforce development, and civic engagement. Included among the organization’s signature education initiatives is a mentorship program for African American children and teens.
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund uplifts the educational excellence of Black youth. Named after Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, the organization provides scholarships, internships, employment, and leadership development. The non-profit claims to be “the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community.”
- 100 Black Men of America strives to create meaningful societal change by focusing on the next generation. As an African American-led mentorship organization, the non-profit leverages the power of mentorship to develop youth and young adults as leaders who are capable of creating change in the world around them. The organization’s four cornerstone principles include mentoring, education, health/wellness, and economic empowerment.