Juneteenth is now recognized as our newest federal holiday, making it the first new one in almost 40 years. Explore the history behind this significant day and the ongoing efforts to commemorate it with a Juneteenth stamp by the USPS.
On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Orders, Number 3 in Galveston, Texas, officially declaring freedom for all slaves. This marked the beginning of Juneteenth, an annual celebration of emancipation in Black communities, which became a United States Federal Holiday in 2021.
States Observing Juneteenth
Currently, more than half of US states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Discover the full list and additional information here.
National Juneteenth Museum
The National Juneteenth Museum, set to open in Fort Worth in 2025, is being led by Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Her efforts aim to create a space to honor and celebrate the significance of Juneteenth.
Petition for a Juneteenth Stamp
Opal Lee has also been advocating for an official USPS Juneteenth stamp, with a proposed design and a change.org petition to support the cause. The submission for a Juneteenth stamp in honor of the day is currently under review by USPS and the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.
For more information, check out these resources:
- BBC News – Juneteenth: What is the newest US holiday and how is it celebrated?
- CNN – ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’ celebrates federal holiday — but there is more work to do. Here’s how you can help
- Juneteenth.com
Photo: An Emancipation Day celebration band on June 19, 1900; courtesy of the University of North Texas Libraries, Wikimedia Commons.
