After 155 years, Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Americans, is being acknowledged as a holiday by corporations and state governments across the country. Today, we consider why, throughout its history, Juneteenth has gained prominence at moments of pain in the struggle for black liberation in America. We also ask: What does freedom mean now?
Guest: Dr. Daina Ramey Berry, a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily
Background reading:
In a project examining the history and import of Juneteenth, we ask: What is freedom in America?Opal Lee, 93, an activist and lifelong Texan, has campaigned to make June 19 a national holiday for years. This is her vision for honoring the emancipation of enslaved Americans.Fox News Fires Its Biggest Star
How Two Generals Led Sudan to the Brink of Civil War
The Sunday Read: ‘Why Are These Italians Massacring Each Other With Oranges?’
Why Low-Ranking Soldiers Have Access to Top Secret Documents
The Blockbuster Fox Defamation Trial That Wasn’t
Abortion Goes to the Supreme Court (Again)
How the I.R.S. Became a Political Boogeyman
China and Taiwan: A Torrid Backstory
The Sunday Read: ‘The Daring Ruse That Exposed China’s Campaign to Steal American Secrets’
Broadway’s Longest-Running Musical Turns Out the Lights
What We’re Learning From the Leaked Military Documents
How Strong (or Not) Is New York’s Case Against Trump?
Inside Russia’s Crackdown on Dissent
An Extraordinary Act of Political Retribution in Tennessee
‘The Run-Up’: The Republican Party Sorts Through Its Mess
The Outsourcing of America’s Border Problem
America Has a Problem in Africa: China
What It Was Like at Donald Trump’s Arraignment
The Election That Could Reshape Wisconsin, and the Country
Fear and Bravado: Inside Trump’s Reaction to the Indictment
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Up First
Post Reports
The Journal.
The Ezra Klein Show
Today, Explained