I am still a little unclear on this one.

So, it's not the date something actually happened, it's the date some people in one town finally found out that something happend?

Stogie1020 wrote:

Only a paid holiday if you work for the gubmint, or a bank. Not a holiday in the private sector

madspackler wrote:

Last year Congress officially nationalized Juneteenth Day as a federal holiday. While Very Serious talking heads attempted desperately to convince those that would listen that Juneteenth was a long celebrated American holiday, the reality is that the regional celebration was largely unknown by most of the nation prior to Congressional action. The episode is a useful illustration of how the state weaponizes secular holidays as a tool to promote a larger cultural agenda.

Prior to nationwide riots in 2020, Juneteenth Day was properly understood as a regional holiday celebrating the emancipation of Texas slaves. The day was understandably a time of celebration for freed Texas slaves and their descendants. Nationally, however, other states had their own days celebrating the end of slavery at times that correlated with their own history – such as Florida’s Emancipation Day which the state recognizes on May 20th. Jubilee Day, celebrated on January 1st, has also been a moment of celebration recognizing Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Of course, no matter the origins of Juneteenth as a particular regional celebration, its elevation to federal status has nothing to do with the history of slavery in America. There has clearly been no recent public debate over the virtues of abolition. Instead, the day’s modern political momentum was obviously the direct response to mostly peaceful protests that engulfed the nation following the death of George Floyd and other high-profile incidents of deadly force used by police during interactions with black Americans. Then-President Donald Trump has loudly taken credit for last year’s official declaration after pitching federal recognition as part of a federal response to deal with escalated racial tensions.

More...

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2022/06/tho-bishop/juneteenth/ 

Only a paid holiday if you work for the gubmint, or a bank. Not a holiday in the private sector

madspackler wrote:

If I read that Lee Rockwell site regularly I would be chronically depressed!

I’m enjoying my weaponized new holiday! Woo hoo!

HockeyDad wrote:

The date was chosen because Texas was still holding slaves 2 years after the end of the war. I do not know the exact details but the gist of it is this. That is when people showed up in Texas to enforce emancipation. I have never checked who they were, I just wanted to find out the significance of the date, if there was any.

Speyside2 wrote:

Bill Nye, the infamous "science guy," received a prompt history lesson on Sunday after claiming that slavery in America officially ended on Juneteenth.

What did Nye say?

In an effort to commemorate the newest national holiday, Nye claimed on Twitter that America was "built" on slave labor and that "the last" slaves were freed on June 19, 1865.

"The United States we know today was built with the labor of enslaved Black Americans," Nye wrote. "The last were not freed (officially) until 19 June 1865. Let us celebrate— and never forget."

Nye, famous for an educational science TV show, posted a picture of himself holding a pocket Constitution along with his commemorative message.

\u201cThe United States we know today was built with the labor of enslaved Black Americans. The last were not freed (officially) until 19 June 1865. Let us celebrate\u2014 and never forget.\u201d

— Bill Nye (@Bill Nye) 1655673961

https://www.theblaze.com/news/bill-nye-history-lesson-juneteenth 

Hereditary slavery did not end in the United States until December 6, 1865, the ratification date of the 13th Amendment. Slave auctions continued in Kentucky through November 1865, five months after slavery supposedly ended on June 19th, 1865.

If the last slaves were told they were free on June 19th, then what about slaves sold into slavery AFTER that point? Would be news to them.

https://www.brionmcclanahan.com/blog/the-end-of-slavery/ 

Ray, I think I will start calling you mini Lew. I imagine you will see that as a compliment.

Speyside2 wrote:

Yeah... America was built on slave labor. White people didn't work at all... ever... not before the slaves arrived, or until after the slaves were freed. Buncha lazy bastids...

So. Effing. Stupid.

MACS wrote:

What I dislike is Juneteenth, and Martin Luther King day is that they are discriminatory holidays. No other holidays are based on skin color. I suppose I could celebrate them, but I have no connection to either of them.

Speyside2 wrote: