Juneteenth at Community Fitness

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth | June + 19 + Emmancipation

On June 2 ,2021, Juneteenth was officially declared a Federal Holiday in the United States President Joe Biden. It has been an often overlooked event in our nation’s history by the general public. But  African Americans have long celebrated the day, commemorating freedom, life, family, and preserving the history of this important date.

While the Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect by Congress on December 1, 1863, more than 2 years would pass before the Confederate Texas, the last state still practicing slavery would comply with the Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops were sent into Galveston Bay Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing 250,000 slaves, and this is the date that has become “Juneteenth”.

*It’s important to note that slavery was still rampant throughout Texas after this date, with many slaveholders withholding the news from their slaves in order to keep their free labor.

Today, with growing attention around the holiday, many are wondering how to celebrate the day in a respectful and meaningful manner. Federal business are closed for business that day, and private businesses are left to mark the day as they see fit.

This year we’re going to celebrate by highlighting black owned businesses in our Seattle Community in the following days!