Brand New National Holiday...I never heard of it.. Juneteenth...You may have not heard of it either.

[Stuart G]

Lengthy article at this link below: (You don't believe...well hit that link, easy breezy)...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth

Juneteenth[c] (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, and also known as, Jubilee Day,[3] Emancipation Day,[4][5] Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day[6]) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.[7][8] Juneteenth's commemoration is on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas,[9] which was the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery.

[MuseRider]

1. It is big here in Kansas

at least where I live. I have seen it every year of my life I suspect. Talks about it and the Exodusters.

[Stuart G]

5. New word:...."Exodusters".......Two in one day:......(new holiday, and a new word)

Exodusters was a name given to African Americans who migrated from states along the Mississippi River to Kansas in the late nineteenth century, as part of the Exoduster Movement or Exodus of 1879. It was the first general migration of black people following the Civil War

[MuseRider]

10. There are small communities here

I am not certain that any of them are occupied anymore, most are West of where I live. I know there is one that is relatively famous and I would love to get there one day but it is a serious drive so.....

With Juneteenth being big here for a long while and the Exodusters also being a pretty big deal and Brown v Board and the Jayhawkers Free Staters I believe we have some solid good creds, at least as many as the bad creds as far as race relations are concerned. It is by no means perfect however, not at all.

[getagrip_already]

2. You must not get out much....

It's been a thing in texas for decades and it became a national holiday effective last year under dem leadership.

It's hardly new, nor has it been invisible.

[yellowdogintexas]

15. the Grandmother of Juneteenth Let me introduce you to Ms Opal Lee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal_Lee

I want to be Opal Lee when I grow up; in good health and still on top of my game.

She is a real sweetheart too. I love her

[getagrip_already]

20. Wow, thanks for the link...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. Sherman, set the WABAC Machine for June 18, 2021.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=archives&date=2021x6x18

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017662487

[Ocelot II]

4. Where have you been?

[Stuart G]

7. I guess I have been lost in the ... "Sea of Nuttiness."

[SharonClark]

6. It's been celebrated in Iowa as a recognized state holiday since 2002 thanks to Gov. Tom Vilsack

Mostly celebrated in the larger cities.

In 2021, it became an official city holiday in the city of Des Moines.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Monday, March 22, 2021 – In recognition of the freeing of enslaved people in the United States in 1865, City Manager Scott Sanders announced today that Des Moines will observe Juneteenth as an official holiday.

“Over the past several years, the discussion has grown to observe this important anniversary as an official City holiday,” Sanders said. “We hope by commemorating this date, we can better illustrate the significance of Juneteenth and generate greater recognition throughout our community and the state.”

City buildings and offices will be closed each year on June 19 or the adjoining weekday when the date falls on a weekend. This year, June 18 will serve as the official City holiday.

“To mark this important occasion and create a broader awareness, I encourage City employees to join the thousands of residents who participate in the many Juneteenth observations throughout Des Moines,” Sanders added.

source: https://www.dsm.city/news_detail_T2_R373.php

[Bev54]

8. I'm Canadian and I knew of it.

[Stuart G]

9. Oh Well .......back to the drums..

[MuseRider]

12. LOL

Some things are less visible depending on where you are. I find out things all the time that are common knowledge elsewhere and feel like a maroon sometimes.

My oldest is a professional drummer, good for the mind and good for the soul.

[vrguy]

11. 🙂

[genxlib]

13. Don't feel left out.

I confess it was fairly new to me last year or the year before. I managed to make it through +50 years of life without being aware of it.

Maybe it is fairly regional. I have lived in Florida my whole life and was unaware until the past few years. It probably also has a lot to do with growing up in white southern culture that seems to have overlooked it.

Maybe we are clueless but we can be clueless together

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. This is a big deal in Texas

[Harker]

16. It's good of you to share your joy of discovery. n/t

[Skittles]

17. huh?

I have been well aware of Juneteenth for some time....

[Wolf Frankula]

18. I've heard of it as a Texas holiday.

Talked with a friend who was born in Texas. It's big there.

Wolf

[dalton99a]

19. Juneteenth has been a state holiday in Texas since 1980

[PTWB]

21. Juneteenth is not new...

I suppose we all live in our own bubbles, but some bubbles are larger than others.

[Trailrider1951]

22. I grew up in the '50's and 60's in Columbus, Ohio

and I had never heard of Juneteenth until I moved to Texas in 1981. Although it wasn't considered a "real holiday" then, it was celebrated in the Black community in Houston, and the local news TV stations covered the history of the event. It's always good to learn history that you may not have heard of, and I'm glad it's celebrated as a REAL holiday in the US now.

[electric_blue68]

23. I heard of it some time ago but didn't know some of the other names for it.

[yellowdogintexas]

24. In KY the news must have arrived on August 8

because that was the Big Day there.

I believe its May 5 in Mississippi

I don't think either date is anywhere near official, but in my little town, all the black people who were living elsewhere returned to celebrate. It was called the "Allensville Homecoming". Many of these people were in Michigan and Ohio and other places where they had found good union jobs after their military service.

I do not think it's like that anymore; that generation has died off and their descendants are even more widely scattered. All the elder family they loved to visit are all deceased.

There was a tiny ramshackle BBQ spot which was owned by a lady of indeterminate age. Best.BBQ.Ever! She always pit-smoked a whole hog for July 4; for August 8 she did 2. (pit was a true pit lined with many large rocks which she fired for days before adding the hog. She kept a huge tarp over it the whole time and basted it with this amazing sauce. We always had a bottle of hot and mild versions in our refrigerator.