The Equal Justice Initiative, an Alabama-based criminal justice reform nonprofit, unveiled the National Monument to Freedom in Montgomery, Alabama on Wednesday (19th) to commemorate the end of slavery in the nation, known as Juneteenth.
What it Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, a contraction of “June” and “nineteenth,” is also known by several other names, including Freedom Day, Jubilation Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day. This significant holiday celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. The origins of Juneteenth can be traced back to Galveston, Texas, where it first began. Today, Juneteenth is officially celebrated annually on June 19th in 47 states across the country.
The holiday marks the anniversary of a pivotal moment in American history: on June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and made a public announcement declaring the end of slavery in Texas. This proclamation came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had formally freed slaves in the Confederate states. However, due to the Civil War and slow communication methods of the time, the enforcement of emancipation was delayed in many regions, including Texas.
Juneteenth has since grown in prominence and recognition, serving as a time for reflection, education, and celebration of African American culture and achievements. The day is commemorated with various events and activities, such as parades, festivals, educational programs, and community gatherings. Juneteenth not only honors the historical significance of the end of slavery but also underscores the ongoing struggles and contributions of African Americans in the pursuit of equality and justice.
About the new monument
The Associated Press reports that the National Liberty Monument, which is four stories high, is inscribed with 122,000 surnames representing the more than 4 million enslaved people who gained their freedom at the end of the Civil War. The surnames were recorded in the 1870 U.S. Census and were chosen by the enslaved people for themselves after their emancipation.
This monument is the centerpiece of the latest established Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, honoring those who experienced and survived slavery throughout history. Montgomery’s art and historical artifacts tell the stories of enslaved people throughout the nation’s history.
At the unveiling of the monument, Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Group, recounted how people who were once enslaved suffered untold horrors while leaving their resilience and strength for future generations.
The celebration of Juneteenth is about confronting the brutality of slavery and reminding people of the impact it had. Stevenson said it is also a day to celebrate the dignity and strength of human beings, who managed to love and survive tenaciously despite all the hardships that enslaved people had faced. He said, “The slaves in this country did something amazing and we need to recognize that, we need to acknowledge that, we need to celebrate that. Enslaved people rebelled. Enslaved people were resilient. Enslaved people found a way out. They never stopped holding on to their faith and yearning for freedom. As we leave here this morning on Juneteenth, I hope our hearts are filled with hope.”
The Equal Justice Initiative Group created the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park as an honest account of the history of enslaved people. The sculpture park is the third historical memorial site the group has created in the city of Montgomery, following its two previous creations, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which honors those who lost their lives in racial terrorist killings, and the Legacy Museum – which opened in 2018 – showcasing the history of slavery and racism in the United States. Legacy Museum – which showcases the history of slavery and racism in the United States.
