Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) recognizes Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, to deliver the news to over 250,000 enslaved people that they were now free from chattel slavery. The resulting celebration saw countless Black communities come together to sing, dance, and pray. The day became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day.
Activists worked for decades to gain national recognition of Juneteenth. People signed petitions, marched, and sent countless letters to ask the federal government to formally recognize the day freedom was realized for all Americans. After years of advocacy by Ms. Opal Lee, often referred to as the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” and others, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
As we recognize and reflect on Juneteenth, LDF President and Director Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement:
“Juneteenth represents the liberation and resilience of Black people in the United States. This distinctly American holiday symbolizes the incontrovertible truth that celebrating moral triumphs in this country’s complex history is critical to ensuring that we do not betray them. The joy and freedom that characterize Juneteenth demonstrate that the human spirit is stronger than the forces of hate and fear. Today is a day to uplift the remarkable perseverance of Black people — not just a day of remembrance, but a day of fellowship, community-building, and intentional celebration.
“As we honor those who worked to gain us the freedoms that are imperiled today, we must continue to push back against efforts to rewrite our nation’s history. LDF will never stop fighting to safeguard our stories and protect the truth of Black history, which is American history, in our schools, libraries, museums, and communities.”
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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957 — although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.
