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History change about Juneteenth, 2011 article to June 12, 2020 edit:

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Over the past few decades, however, there has been a movement to revive this celebration of more complete freedom in America. Today, 39 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth, although most don’t grant it full “holiday” status. A Congressional resolution also underscores the historical significance of “Juneteenth Independence Day.” And museums (including some of those that make up the Smithsonian Institution), now mark Juneteenth with annual programming.

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Since this article was first published in 2011, Juneteenth celebrations have attracted increased attention around the nation. According to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, 45 states and the District of Columbia had, by 2017, passed legislation officially recognizing the holiday. With the current unrest over the killing of another African American man at the hands of the police, the pervasive scars of the nation's long history of enslavement and racism has again dominated the news. Protests across the country have brought renewed attention to the holiday, as has President Trump's recent announcement of a campaign rally being held in Tulsa, itself the site of a horrific race massacre, on Juneteenth.

Amid all of this, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic that is disproportionately affecting the country's black population, Americans have even more reasons to continue learning about the roots of racism in American history. We must confront the great contradiction in our past—that a “nation conceived in liberty” was also born in shackles.