News & Events

Juneteenth: A Culmination Point in a Long Process

Honoring the past, navigating the present, and shaping an equitable future

By Angi Porter

For generations, African Americans have commemorated various Emancipation Day holidays with vast celebrations. That is why Juneteenth holds a special place as a significant milestone in the United States. Originating in Texas, this day symbolizes the historic moment when enslaved Africans learned about the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued by President Lincoln over two years earlier on January 1, 1863.

Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, 1865, emerged alongside other regional celebrations that recognized Emancipation Day, whether the recognition was commemorating January 1, 1863, or other dates, such as Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C. (April 16, 1862) and Maryland (November 1, 1864). Aside from acts of self-emancipation and resistance that African people had participated in all along, these emancipation commemorations were local manifestations of the African American community's journey toward gaining legal status as U.S. citizens and the civil rights that should accompany such status. As time progressed and African Americans' legal status as U.S. citizens became more recognized, the prominence of these Emancipation Day celebrations waned, with July 4th overshadowing them. A resurgence in emancipation celebrations occurred as a result of African American movements during the latter half of the twentieth century, and more and more people within the Black community (and beyond) learned about Juneteenth. _¹

The establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday has sparked a renewed awareness and understanding of its significance. Now, individuals outside the Black community are learning about and acknowledging the importance of this day. For the Black community, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine the celebration with a broader audience.

This shift in awareness is an encouraging development, as it allows more people to delve into the holiday's history. It is my hope that in their exploration, they not only learn about the intricacies of June 19th but also discover the nuances surrounding other Emancipation Days and emancipatory acts.

The ongoing conversation surrounding Juneteenth extends beyond the holiday itself. It encompasses the contextual background and historical underpinnings that shaped Juneteenth. This expanded understanding reveals to law students and those interested in the evolution of U.S. law that the journey to freedom unfolded in stages, with different regions experiencing liberation at various times. _²

Juneteenth serves as a crucial culmination point in the broader process of eradicating—or, rather, attempting to eradicate—the stain of slavery from the nation's history. There is still a lot of work to do. By recognizing the significance of Juneteenth, we take a step closer to comprehending the full story and impact of this transformative process. 

As we commemorate Juneteenth, it is essential to communicate and embrace the multifaceted narrative surrounding this holiday. Through widespread education, we foster a society that appreciates the struggle and triumphs on the path toward ending enslavement. Juneteenth represents not just a single moment but a continuum of progress, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and just future. 

The journey towards racial equality is far from complete, but with the continued commitment to learning from history, we can honor the legacy of Juneteenth and work towards building a more equitable society for all. 

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_{^1. See William Wiggins, O Freedom: Afro-American Emancipation Celebrations (1990).}

_{^2. For example, law students learning about the Emancipation Proclamation will do well to remember that it did not apply to the “Border States,” which included, for example, Maryland. Hence, Maryland’s emancipation day falls after 1863.}

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Professor Angi Porter is an assistant professor of law who joined the American University Washington College of Law in 2022. She was previously a Research Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center and an adjunct professor of law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She teaches Torts, Higher Education Law, and Africana Legal Studies.

Porter is blazing the trail toward a new discipline of law. Her recent article, "Africana Legal Studies: A New Theoretical Approach to Law & Protocol" was published in the Michigan Journal of Race and Law.