Juneteenth National Independence Day is a day of great significance in the United States, marking the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom for millions of Black Americans. It is a time to reflect on the struggles and achievements of those who fought for equality, as well as to celebrate the rich culture and contributions of African Americans.
In honor of Juneteenth, we have compiled a list of inspirational quotes from notable figures that reflect the importance of this historic day. From civil rights leaders to poets, these words remind us that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done in the fight for true justice and equality for all.
About Juneteenth National Independence Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day is observed to honor the abolition of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th and marks the day when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to announce that all slaves were now free. The announcement came two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation but was not enforced until the end of the Civil War.
Juneteenth has evolved into a celebration of African American culture, history, and achievements. The day is marked with parades, cookouts, music festivals, and educational events across the country. Many businesses close early or for the entire day to honor this important holiday. In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17th.
Top Juneteenth National Independence Day Quotes
Juneteenth has become a day to honor African American culture and history while also reflecting on the ongoing struggle for racial justice. As we approach this year’s Juneteenth celebrations, it’s important to reflect on some of the profound words spoken by leaders and activists who have fought tirelessly for equality.
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.”
“We Black folk, our history, and our present being are a mirror of all the manifold experiences of America… If we Black folk perish, America will perish.”
“If the cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. Because the goal of America is freedom, abused and scorned tho’ we may be, our destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.”
“We have suffered discrimination. We have suffered isolation and undermining. But we stand up for America, oftentimes when others who think they are more patriotic, who say they are more patriotic, do not.”
“Today on Juneteenth, the day we celebrate the end of slavery, the day we memorialize those who offered us hope for the future, and the day when we renew our commitment to the struggle for freedom.”
“The proclamation notes that freedom shall not be repressed. This is what I believe to be the primary significance of Juneteenth.”
“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.”
“We never got the 40 acres. We went all the way to Herbert Hoover, and we never got the 40 acres. We didn’t get the mule. So we decided we’d ride this donkey as far as it would take us.”
“Every June 19th is an opportunity for us to continue the momentum of memory, and the parade and the self-determination movements.”
“Slavery is theft—theft of a life, theft of work, theft of any property or produce, theft even of the children a slave might have borne.”
“Juneteenth is another moment for me and my loved ones to build an archive of truth and experience of (ourselves) Black folks.”
“There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”
There are certain times in life when we need to exert our strength. Whether it’s in a physical or mental sense, we all have our moments of needing to push ourselves forward. However, there are two ways of exerting one’s strength that can make all the difference: pushing down and pulling up. Pushing down is often associated with force and domination. It involves trying to overpower others or situations by putting pressure on them. This approach can be effective in some cases but it also has its drawbacks.
When we push down too hard, we can damage relationships and create unnecessary conflict. On the other hand, pulling up is about lifting others as well as yourself. This approach entails working collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals and build connections based on mutual respect and understanding. Pulling up requires empathy, compassion, and a willingness to listen rather than impose your own ideas on others.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
“You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much — for we can’t take more than our pint’ll hold.”
“Whether it’s freedom to express, freedom to live, freedom to earn, freedom to thrive, freedom to learn, whatever it is, I want to make sure that I’m a part of these spaces and opening doors.”
“You must never, ever give out. We must keep the faith because we are one people. We are brothers and sisters. We all live in the same house: The American house.”
“Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: ‘I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.’”
“The 4th of July was never about Black people. Juneteenth is just for us. As Black people, we are told we don’t deserve our own holidays rooted in our own history. Everything is whitewashed. Juneteenth is for us… Juneteenth symbolizes the hope that my children and grandchildren will be free. It’s Black Joy and Black tenacity to survive.”
“June 19th reminds me that I am the force of power to change this world and to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors to work towards liberation.”
As an individual, I hold the power to change this world. It is within my capacity to make a difference and work towards a better future. I can use my voice to speak up against social injustices, my actions to advocate for equal rights, and my resources to provide aid where needed. Furthermore, as someone who has ancestors that have fought for liberation and equality, it is my duty to continue their legacy.
Their sacrifices have paved the way for me to live in a more just society, and it is now up to me to carry on their mission. By learning from their examples of resilience and perseverance, I can strive towards making even more progress. In order for real change to occur, we must all take responsibility for our actions and actively work towards creating a fairer world.
“Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved Black Americans to the cause of human freedom.”
“It’s an opportunity to both look back but to look ahead to make sure that that notion of freedom and the fragility of it is always protected and celebrated.”
“Every Black person you meet is a miracle… We are valuable because of our humanity and declared valuable because our ancestors declared our worth when they fought for us to live.”
“What historical narrative are we willing to weave in order to remind people not only that we were here enduring the trials but that we stared the fang toothed wolves of injustice in the face and said ‘no more.’”
“Even though the story has never been tidy, and Black folks have had to march and fight for every inch of our freedom, our story is nonetheless one of progress.”
“Early on, the spelling of the holiday was not yet fixed, often appearing as ‘June ‘teenth,’ ‘June-teenth,’ or ‘June teenth.’ The Dictionary of American Regional English records another variant Texan form, ‘June the tenth,’ The legend is that the ‘teenth’ is because the news is delivered on different days to different groups.”
“We have simply got to make people aware that none of us are free until we’re all free, and we aren’t free yet.”
“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.”
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
“Juneteenth is important to me because till this day black people are still subject to racial injustice on a global scale, and are still victims of racial abuse regardless of where they are from. Juneteenth allows us to remember how far black people have progressed since and it is a reminder of the strength we have within us.”
“Throughout history, Juneteenth has been known by many names: Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Liberation Day, Emancipation Day and, today, a national holiday.”
“Understanding history is one of many ways to break the cycle. Lift up/amplify Black voices. Support Black owned businesses. Reach back. Mentor.”
“The day we were free—everyone was free. Why not make it a paid holiday? We deserve that…We want a day that is inclusive to everyone.”
“There’s no other race, to me, that has such a tough history for hundreds and hundreds of years, and only the strong survive, so we were the strongest and the most mentally tough, and I’m really proud to wear this color every single day of my life.”
“Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.”
“If there is just about anything to rejoice it can be my ancestors, African People who survived the atrocity and stain of slavery… I honor them these days with a guarantee that I will keep on to combat for your unexplored desires and hopes.”
“We are not ready to fight because we love fighting. We are ready to fight because we are worth fighting for.”
“If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.”
“What the people want is simple. They want an America as good as its promise.”
“You can’t separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”
Peace and freedom are two intertwined concepts that are crucial for the well-being of individuals and societies. Without freedom, there can be no peace, as people will be constantly fighting against oppression and injustice. Additionally, without peace, there can be no real freedom, as conflicts and wars often lead to restrictions on individual liberties. Throughout history, we have seen how the absence of freedom has led to violence and conflict.
In dictatorships and authoritarian regimes, people are forced to live under oppressive conditions with limited opportunities for self-expression or self-determination. This often results in widespread frustration and unrest which can eventually boil over into violent uprisings or revolutions. On the other hand, when people feel that their freedoms are protected they tend to be more peaceful and contented.
FAQs
Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday in the United States
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Barbecues, parades, and block parties.
Let’s Wind Up…
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a significant day in American history that celebrates the end of slavery and recognizes the ongoing struggle for racial equality. Its recognition as a federal holiday is a crucial step towards acknowledging the country’s complex past and promoting social justice. As we commemorate this day, it is important to reflect on our shared history and work together toward creating a better future for all.
We must continue to educate ourselves about Black history and uplift Black voices, support organizations that promote racial equity, and actively advocate for systemic change. Let us use this day as an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a more just and inclusive society. Happy Juneteenth!