Celebrate Juneteenth! - Poster of the Week

politicalgraphics
4 days ago
2 min read

Generation after Generation Fight for Black Liberation

Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL)

Digital Print, 2025

United States

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved people there that the war was over and they were free. Since 1866, on the one-year anniversary of this day, Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth as “freedom day” to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued two years prior, many enslavers refused to free the enslaved people on their plantations. Enslavers in Confederate states like Texas, chose not to inform the enslaved people of their rights, instead choosing to continue the oppressive and immoral system benefitting them. Some waited until the end of the harvest of 1865, others attacked and killed those who attempted to escape their enslavement after learning of their right to freedom.

Some of the earliest celebrations of Juneteenth included sharing of voting rights information to formerly enslaved people and gathering in Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas to commemorate the day. Today many celebrations involve public cookouts, parades, fireworks, food festivals, 4K races, musical performances, and church services.