Juneteenth

noun

June·​teenth ˌjün-ˈtēn(t)th 

: June 19 observed as a legal holiday in the United States in commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S.

Note: The federal name for this holiday according to the United States Code is Juneteenth National Independence Day. It is also called Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.

Examples of Juneteenth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The show will also air on Bounce TV Wednesday, June 19th (Juneteenth) at 9pm EST. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 May 2024

Texas adopted Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980, and in recent years, all but three states had as well. —Jessica B. Harris, Southern Living, 13 May 2024

Her granddaughter, Dione Sims, the founding executive director of the National Juneteenth Museum, was also in attendance. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2024

Taylor came back to Milwaukee a couple of few times after his retirement, and he was scheduled to be grand marshal at the city's Juneteenth parade in 2020 before it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. —Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2024

Truth of Freedom: African Diaspora to Afrofuturism: Coinciding with Juneteenth is an exhibit that explores the African Diaspora's history and new visions of justice for Black people through Afrofuturism. —Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 10 May 2024

Opal Lee, a 97-year-old teacher and activist who campaigned to make Juneteenth a national holiday, also received a medal. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 6 May 2024

In 1867, the Freedmen’s Bureau organized the first Juneteenth celebration in the capital. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 3 May 2024

Opal Lee, an educator and activist who pushed to make Juneteenth a national holiday. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

blend of June and nineteenth

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Juneteenth

• Juneteenth Independence Day
• Juneteenth National Independence Day

Kids Definition

Juneteenth

noun

June·​teenth

ˌjün-ˈtēn(t)th

: June 19 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S.