Commemorating Juneteenth

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas DC

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. This bill recognized and designated June 19 as a legal, public holiday. Although the events of Juneteenth took place over 100 years ago, the holiday continues to be observed as a culturally and historically significant moment in time for African Americans.

The History Of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the longest-running African American holiday in the United States.1 Its importance stems from President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to those who were enslaved in states under Confederate control.

On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that over 250,000 enslaved people in the state of Texas were free.2 This announcement would come over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863.3 Juneteenth is viewed as a second Independence Day for African Americans, as it marks the official end of slavery in the United States.

Bringing Juneteenth Into Federal Law

African Americans have celebrated Juneteenth for decades, but the holiday was not always widely recognized. It was not until 1979 that the state of Texas passed a bill declaring Juneteenth a state holiday.4 For many years after, holiday supporters would push for Juneteenth to receive the same recognition as similar holidays, such as Flag Day or Independence Day.

President Biden would soon answer the call to push Juneteenth to the forefront. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. “Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation and a promise of a brighter morning to come,” President Biden remarked that day.

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH IN WASHINGTON, DC

If you are looking for ways to commemorate Juneteenth locally, Washington, DC, is rich in African American history and culture. Here are a few ways you can honor Juneteenth in DC:

• Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the world’s largest museum devoted to African American life, art, history, and culture. The museum is home to thousands of exhibits that showcase the history of America through the Black cultural lens. Plan your museum trip by visiting https://nmaahc.si.edu/about/ about-museum.

• Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

You can also visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. The memorial features a 30-foot-tall statue of Dr. King and three granite pieces inspired by his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

• Take a stroll down Black Lives Matter Plaza.

Visiting the Black Lives Matter Plaza downtown is another great way to honor the life, struggles, and efforts of African Americans. The Plaza covers two blocks along 16th Street NW, with the words “BLACK LIVES MATTER” in yellow, 50-foot-tall letters.

The information in this article is to help you learn more about this topic. It is not to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider. If you think you need to see your health care provider because of something you have read in this information, please contact your health care provider. Never stop or wait to get medical at- tention because of something you have read in this material.

Sources:

1. “What is Juneteenth?” History. com,https://www.history.com/news/ what-is-juneteenth

2. “The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth,” Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://nmaahc. si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

3. “The Emancipation Proclamation,” National Archives and Records Administration, https://www. archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation

4. “This Day in History,” History. com, https://www.history.com/thisday-in-history/texas-bill-makes-juneteenth-an-official-state-holiday

5. “Oral Health Tips,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html

All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

#BestMe Prioritize Your Oral Health

Have you been to the dentist this year? June is Oral Health Month, and there is no better time than now to start prioritizing your oral hygiene.

Oral health is important, as the health of your mouth can impact your overall health. Sudden changes in your taste or smell may indicate that something has changed with your health. Here are some ways you can prioritize oral hygiene all year long:5

•Visit your dentist at least once a year.

•Do not use any tobacco products.

•Brush your teeth twice daily and floss.

•Drink fluoridated water and brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.

As an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee, you have access to our many Preventive Care Center resources, including our Dental Care Center. You can find additional resources on proper dental care, how to find a dental provider, what to do if you have a dental emergency, and more! Visit https://www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/preventive-care/member/ dental/index.aspx to learn more.

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