06/19/2026
Picture it: June 19, 1865.
Pause for a moment and consider the whirlwind of emotions experienced by enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, upon learning that freedom had finally arrived.
While the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, freedom did not come all at once. The proclamation declared enslaved people in Confederate states to be free, but enforcement depended on Union military victory. As Union forces advanced, freedom followed.
More than two years later, on June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that enslaved people in Texas were free. That day became known as Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
The Juneteenth flag bears the colors red, white, and blue because this is our nation, too. In 1979, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.
What do the symbols on the Juneteenth flag represent?
• The Central Star – The white five-pointed star represents Texas, the Lone Star State, and symbolizes the freedom of African Americans in all 50 states.
• The Burst – The 12-pointed outline surrounding the star represents a nova, or “new star,” symbolizing a new beginning and a fresh start for Black Americans across the nation.
• The Arc – The curved line sweeping across the flag represents a new horizon, reflecting the promise of greater opportunities and a brighter future.
• Red, White, and Blue – The flag’s colors mirror those of the United States flag, affirming that formerly enslaved people and their descendants are free American citizens who belong and have always been part of the American story.
Today, we honor history, celebrate freedom, and recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of liberty, justice, and equality.
Happy Juneteenth. ✊🏾❤️🤍💙
