Who Made Juneteenth a Holiday in USA?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. It celebrates the day when Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and announced the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to the enslaved African Americans there. The question of who made Juneteenth a holiday in the USA is a complex one, involving the efforts of many individuals and communities over the years.
The origins of Juneteenth can be traced back to the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. It was not until the late 19th century that the holiday began to gain recognition outside of Texas. One of the key figures in the early promotion of Juneteenth was Charles B. Ray, a former slave and prominent African American businessman in Houston, Texas. Ray was instrumental in organizing Juneteenth celebrations and advocating for the holiday’s recognition.
Another influential figure was Norris Wright Cuney, a prominent African American leader and civil rights activist in Galveston. Cuney played a crucial role in promoting Juneteenth as a holiday by organizing events and encouraging participation from the African American community. His efforts helped to spread the holiday’s message of freedom and unity.
As the 20th century progressed, the holiday gained further recognition and support from other African American leaders and organizations. One of the most notable figures was Dr. J. L. C. Smith, a physician and civil rights activist in Houston. Smith was a strong advocate for Juneteenth and worked tirelessly to promote its recognition as a national holiday.
The holiday’s recognition also owes a great deal to the efforts of African American women, who played a significant role in organizing Juneteenth celebrations and advocating for its status as a holiday. Women like Mary J. B. Kellar, who founded the Juneteenth Celebration Association in Houston, and the Texas Women’s Political Caucus, which lobbied for the holiday’s recognition, were instrumental in advancing Juneteenth’s cause.
In recent years, the holiday has gained increased attention and support from the broader American public. In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. Since then, more states have followed suit, and in 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
The collective efforts of Charles B. Ray, Norris Wright Cuney, Dr. J. L. C. Smith, and countless other African American leaders, activists, and community members have made Juneteenth a holiday in the USA. Their dedication to celebrating freedom and unity has helped to ensure that the holiday’s message of liberation and hope continues to resonate with people across the nation.
