A Joyous Legacy: Why We Celebrate Juneteenth

Congratulations America and Happy Juneteenth Day….Historically, not everyone in Confederate states would immediately be free. The execution of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was made effective in 1863, couldn’t happen in places still under Confederate control. Knowing this, there were still enslaved people in the far western Confederate state of Texas. They would hear much later.

Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when several thousand Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. According to certain sources, the soldiers announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free and that their freedom would be protected and guarded until slavery was officially outlawed across the nation.  This information was withheld from them for more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  Soon afterward, those Texans started to celebrate the date as a holiday…June 19^th or Nineteenth of June.  Communities in the United States are celebrating Juneteenth, however, Texas made Juneteenth an official holiday in 1980.  Now, decades later, this holiday finally gained the place in this country it rightfully deserved. 

As of June 2021, I am happy to announce that Juneteenth is an official national holiday. Of course, we are grateful to the committed people who worked hard to keep this day alive in the hearts and minds of all Americans. After 200 years of enslavement, Black Americans are still courageous and continue to inspire change in this country.  This official holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates another independence day for our country. There’s so much to teach our children about this historical legacy…bravery, resilience, and the power to never give up. 

A few years ago, my daughter wanted to jumpstart this new tradition in our family. We begin celebrating Juneteenth. We gather to recognize this day with cultural traditions such as preparing the foods and drinks of long ago from recipes passed down by the gentlewomen and men in my family.  We talk about our parents and grandparents so that we can remember and transfer the stories they shared with us. We tell the stories about the historical wrongs and wickedness of a painful past that’s been hidden for too long. However, we are blessed to tell about the powerful strength, the unique contributions, the courage, and resilience of enslaved Black Americans. We must never forget because we are a part of them and they are a part of us. We are building a legacy that honors their memory, as well as, continuing to showcase the richness and brilliance of Black excellence. We must tell these stories to our children so they will know how to reclaim their heritage; but more importantly, to remind them of the price of freedom; the sacrificial price paid. I’m grateful to the many Black Americans who kept this celebration moving forward with their festive moments and their prayers. I’m sure many of you never gave a notion about Juneteenth; however, it is now your responsibility to tell your children. Many of our people prayed to God, and He answered those prayers. This is a holiday for ALL of us to celebrate…Let’s do it….It’s Jubilee time, it’s Juneteenth, it’s time to reJoice!!!   

– Some of the Burges Family Juneteenth Food Celebration –

Daddy Burges Delicious Baked Barbecue Chicken Wings

Joyce Burges Fabulous Dill Potato Salad

Barbecue Pork & Beans

LT’s Luscious Lemon Dessert

Burges Sons – Grill Chicken, Sausages, Beef, etc

Burges daughters – Salad, Spaghetti, Veggie Tray, etc 

And much, much more – 

What does Juneteenth mean to your family?