Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a proclamation declaring June 19, 2025, as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance” in California. This marks the state’s recognition of the day Union General Gordon Granger announced the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
The proclamation highlights that while July 4 is celebrated as America’s Independence Day, Juneteenth commemorates another significant moment in American history. It was on this day that thousands of enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, over two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Governor Newsom’s statement reflects on how Black Americans who moved from the South brought Juneteenth celebrations to places like Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. These communities have played a role in teaching California about the ongoing struggle for freedom beyond the historical milestones of 1776 and 1865.
California acknowledges Juneteenth as an official state holiday to honor the struggles and achievements that have shaped its history. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of confronting past injustices amidst efforts to rewrite history and calls for reflection on achieving true equality.
“This Juneteenth, I urge all Californians to reflect on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans – remembering that, though General Granger’s announcement in 1865 called for ‘absolute equality,’ that vision was, and remains, far from complete,” said Governor Newsom. He encourages celebration of progress made and consideration of further steps needed to fulfill America’s founding ideals.
The proclamation was signed by Governor Newsom with Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber attesting it.
