Juneteenth Celebrations Across The US Commemorate The End Of Slavery
Across the United States, Juneteenth was commemorated on Thursday with powerful tributes, community events, and cultural celebrations marking the end of slavery in the country — a tradition rooted in Galveston, Texas, where Union soldiers arrived on June 19, 1865, and declared freedom for the state’s enslaved people through General Order No. 3. This year’s observances were particularly poignant as former President Joe Biden was expected to attend a key event in Galveston, the symbolic birthplace of Juneteenth. Biden formally recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, expanding its reach from long-standing Black communities into national consciousness. Since then, nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C. have made Juneteenth an official paid or legal holiday. In New Hampshire, one of the whitest states in the U.S., Juneteenth was marked by educational initiatives along the Black Heritage Trail, including history tours, community discussions, and a rededication of the African Burying Ground Memorial in Portsmouth. But despite the momentum, the state still does not formally recognize Juneteenth as a legal holiday. “I’m not so sure anymore given the political environment we’re in,” said JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. “I think we’ve taken a whole bunch of steps backwards in understanding our history, civil rights, and inclusion.” Juneteenth comes amid tensions over race and education, as the Trump administration continues efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government and has removed several references to Black American history from official websites. Critics view the moves as part of a broader erasure of hard-won historical recognition. Still, voices like Boggis emphasize that truth-telling and celebration can coexist. “Knowing the truth helps us understand some of the current issues we’re going through,” she said. “As much as we educate, we also want to celebrate together.” With music, dancing, shared meals, and remembrance, Juneteenth 2025 was a vivid reminder of how far the nation has come — and how much work remains to ensure “absolute equality” lives up to its promise.
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