Happy Juneteenth!

There's a special day to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States: Juneteenth. I had no idea this existed, and it's only due to blackfeminism.org that I know anything about it.

Although it has its roots in the United States, Juneteenth is now a world-wide celebration, and today marks it's 140th year. The website, Juneteenth.com, states:

"From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society."

President George W. Bush has a short (rather perfunctory, if you ask me) statement at the website, but that seems piddling when you consider he could make it into a federal holiday. (And is Bush making any public statement today, instead of just a textural nod?) Or the President could proclaim an official observance day for Juneteenth.

Father's Day further complicates the issue: this year Father's Day happens to fall on Juneteenth. One solution would be to move Father's Day to a fixed date in June to avoid the conflict.

Happy Juneteenth!

Update: Marian's blog has a bit about Juneteenth, as does DED Space.

Update 2: Apparently, "Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) have sponsored resolutions asking for a national Juneteenth observance." Via Anupam Chander.