10 Ways Latter-day Saints Can Celebrate Juneteenth Day

It was nearly a century and a half ago, but that doesn’t make it any less of a milestone: Juneteenth day, or, the day we abolished slavery as a nation, once and for all. It’s a holiday, did you know?

Of all the holidays on the calendar, Juneteenth day might be one of those most deserving of a little more attention. June 19th, 1856 was a sacred day for many, an answer to prayers. It’s a day to celebrate freedom and remember the slaves that built up our nation on their backs.  After decades of horrors, they were finally, finally, free. See how it really is a day to celebrate?

Fifteen ways to make June 19th a holiday:

1. A proper reading of The Emancipation Proclamation. It was the document that sealed the deal, penned and issued by Abraham Lincoln and his staff. Dim the lights, appoint whoever has the grandest voice and soak in some words of history that changed the world.

2. Speaking of Lincoln, watch Lincoln, the 2012 Steven Spielberg drama, all about the events leading up to the 19th.

3. As long as you’re on the couch with the dvd player all revved up, take your pick of The Color Purple, The Help, or Remember the Titans, all movies paying homage to the journey African Americans have had since slavery days.

3. Celebrate a little bit of African American slave culture, which they made surprisingly awesome in spite of their circumstances. Cook up some black-eyed peas, grits and fried chicken (liver.) 

4.  Tell some slave ghost stories around a campfire; they’re plentiful and pretty spooky, too.

5. June 19th is an excellent excuse for a Gone With the Wind themed gathering.

6. On a philanthropic note, donate to an anti-slavery or anti-human trafficking foundation, efforts fighting off modern-day slavery.

7. Slaves had memorably great, soulful music. Add a guitar to your campfire with some traditional slave hymns (Amazing Grace is a classic).

8. There are powerful accounts of captivity and slavery in the Book of Mormon, center your scripture study around it for the day (Mosiah 24 is a great chapter).

9. Do some reading of deservedly famous African American authors, like Maya Angelou or Frederick Douglass. 

10. Mostly, acknowledge your freedom and give thanks. We’ve come a long way.