The problem that I see is what does National Holiday mean? Who observes these days now that there is no middle class to enjoy them? My Union gave up Veteran's Day many years ago. No one wanted an unpaid day off and there were few Veterans to care. An individual could still honor the day by not working, but this is hardly the environment to demand your rights. Most big box stores are open 364 days a year.

Juneteenth was the day our 'last' ancestors in Texas were informed by Union soldiers that they were emancipated. If we recognize the day nationally - - it should be the 1863 date.

But I still put collards in one crock pot and pork roast in another for a mid week dinner celebrating Miss Gracie - my great great grandmother who was black/seminole mix slave at the end of the war.

celebrated in some way. Even if they didn't make it a national holiday it should be taught in schools and mentioned on the airwaves to remind people. You know how hard it is just to get a paid holiday because it costs corporations. You know they don't want to come off that dime. But it would be nice to see a holiday. That is the least that america can do to repair the damage they have done. But honestly at this time I doubt any holiday for anyone would be approved because of the recession.

I'm not sure what happens now, but back when I was a kid (Moby Dick was a minnow then) it was a school event every year I also seem to recall some wider civic observance.

I lived all over the place and I don't remember it ever being disgusted. But it should be remembered.

As it stands right now there IS no National Holiday encouraging us to look the accomplishment of overcoming one of the most shameful chapters of our history.

Celebrating the end of slavery is just as important as any of our current holidays. More so really.

Also I say yes to any new holidays since I think people are tired and need a day off to rest their legs.

But I agree that it's an event that deserves more formal national recognition. I like your comparison to July 4...

I'm a white guy, but as a kid my dad took the family to 5-points in Denver and we celebrated Juneteenth with the rest of America. It may have been Emancipation Day for the slaves, but their freedom has emancipated us all from the ugly chains of U.S. prehistory.

That's when we started acting like the good guys for the very first time.

then again who cares.

n/t