Honoring Freedom: What the Juneteenth Flag and Celebrations Truly Represent
As we approach Juneteenth 2025 on Thursday, June 19, I find myself reflecting deeply on what this holiday stands for, and what the symbols we see during this time truly mean. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Jubilee Day, commemorates a pivotal moment in American history—June 19, 1865—when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom. This came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
One powerful symbol that stands out during this celebration is the Juneteenth flag. Designed in 1997 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, the flag reflects a deep message. It’s crafted in red, white, and blue—the same colors as the American flag—to declare that enslaved people and their descendants are unequivocally American. At the center lies a five-pointed star, representing Texas, the Lone Star State, where the last enslaved individuals were notified of their freedom. This star is surrounded by a burst, symbolizing a new beginning, and an arc across the flag represents new horizons and opportunities for Black Americans. Lisa Jeanne Graf revised the flag in 2000, and in 2007, the date “June 19, 1865” was added to mark the historic day this freedom was enforced.
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While the Juneteenth flag is the most directly tied to the holiday, you might also see other important flags flying. The Pan-African flag, created in 1920 by Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey, uses red, black, and green to represent the blood, the people, and the land of Africa and its diaspora. Then there’s the Black American Heritage flag, designed in 1967 by Melvin Charles and Gleason Jackson. It features a black stripe symbolizing pride, red for the struggles endured, and a golden wreath with a sword to represent heritage and strength.
Across the country, cities like Marblehead, Massachusetts and Salem, Oregon are hosting meaningful events—flag-raising ceremonies, history walks, block parties, and educational programs. These gatherings are more than festive occasions—they are moments of remembrance, pride, and community. From Marblehead’s lawn at historic Abbot Hall to Salem’s community history walks honoring Black pioneers like the Gorman family, every celebration tells a story.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, thanks to decades of advocacy and millions of signatures. But beyond the official recognition, its true power lies in how communities come together—to learn, to honor, to celebrate, and to move forward. So as we see these flags waving in the June breeze, let’s remember what they stand for: the resilience of a people, the ongoing journey toward justice, and the enduring promise of freedom for all.
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