# Juneteenth National Independent Day By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-06-19 June 19 is a federal holiday. This is a day of celebration. It commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. For those celebrating freedom, this is likely the most important federal holiday in the United States. Juneteenth is the day that the United States took one step toward fulfilling its promise that all men are created equal. It has been a painful and painfully slow journey. We are far from the destination. Progress has been made. Much more is needed. Some “freedom-loving” Americans dismiss the importance of this day. It is unclear how any person genuinely committed to freedom or love could. Today is a day to think about the evils of slavery. It is an institution without redeeming qualities. It was wrong. It is wrong. Think about how you would feel if you were enslaved if you had no authority in any aspect of your life. Now think about how joyous you would be if somebody announced you were free. Even with dedicated focus, it is hard for one’s thoughts to come close to capturing it all. When we see each other as true brothers and sisters, we will understand that Juneteenth is our National Independence Day. Celebrate Freedom! And then work to make progress on this ideal.  #### Related Items [[Freedom]] [[American]] [[Independence]] [[Progress]] [[Reflection]] [[Work]]