Happy Juneteenth, dear readers! As we don our leg warmers and crank up the synth-pop, let’s take a moment to commemorate a pivotal day in American history. Today marks 160 years since the last slaves in Galveston, Texas, were finally granted their freedom on June 19th, 1865, a date now celebrated as Juneteenth. However, despite its establishment as a federal holiday in 2021, a recent poll reveals that a surprising number of Americans are still in the dark about its significance.
The poll highlights that 13% of Americans, or about one in eight, have never heard of Juneteenth. While this is an improvement from three years ago when one in four were unaware, there’s still much work to do. Even more startling is the fact that only 62% know what Juneteenth actually commemorates – the end of slavery in the United States.
For those unacquainted with its origins, “Juneteenth” is a clever linguistic blend of “June” and “nineteenth,” coined back in the 1890s. It marks the day when the last slaves in the U.S. learned of their emancipation, a full two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
The poll also reveals that 29% of Americans have celebrated Juneteenth before, with around one in six planning to partake in festivities this year. Yet, this embrace isn’t universal; 22% believe Juneteenth doesn’t merit the status of a federal holiday.
In a broader societal context, 90% of Americans acknowledge that racism remains an issue in 2025. Of these, 55% consider it a major problem, 35% view it as a minor issue, and a mere 10% believe it isn’t a problem at all.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, let’s spread the word and honor the momentous strides toward freedom and equality. After all, every step towards awareness is a step towards unity!
