Juneteenth

[joon-teenth]

noun

1. June 19, a U.S. holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States and commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans, in Texas, on June 19, 1865.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Juneteenth¹

First recorded in 1935–40; June + (nine)teenth

Example Sentences

Cathy messaged me, “Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth!”

From Slate

Kendrick Lamar, Ledisi and others are creating the soundtrack for this cultural inflection point and for the legacy of Juneteenth.

From Los Angeles Times

The transatlantic slave trade transformed the global economy, but the numbers show it was Juneteenth that lifted America to the top.

From Los Angeles Times

However, while I find myself at odds with the president’s 2025 remarks about the holiday, I do agree with what he said about Juneteenth when he was president in 2020: “It’s actually an important event, an important time.”

From Los Angeles Times

Of all the national holidays around the Western world, it would appear Juneteenth is among the most significant historically.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the day (June 19, 1865) on which enslaved African Americans in Texas became some of the last enslaved people in the U.S. to be informed that slavery had been abolished.Juneteenth is also often observed as a time to commemorate the end of chattel slavery in the U.S.Observance of Juneteenth often involves celebratory events and gatherings, especially among African Americans. Observance of the day also often involves events and programs focused on education about and discussion of the legacy of slavery in the U.S., including the ongoing struggle to dismantle systemic racism in U.S. society.Juneteenth was adopted as a U.S. federal holiday in 2021, officially called Juneteenth National Independence Day.It is sometimes also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Black Independence Day.Visit our article to learn more about how Juneteenth is observed and celebrated.