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.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
The Sunday Read: ‘A Sandwich Shop, a Tent City and an American Crisis'
The Indictment of Donald Trump
The Plan to Save Baseball From Boredom
Israel’s Far Right Government Backs Down
The Fight Over ‘Cop City’
A Sweeping Plan to Protect Kids From Social Media
The Sunday Read: ‘How Danhausen Became Professional Wrestling’s Strangest Star’
Should The Government Pay for Your Bad Climate Decisions?
Our Film Critic on Why He’s Done With the Movies
Barney Frank on His Role in the Banking Crisis
China, Russia and the Risk of a New Cold War
How TikTok Became a Matter of National Security
The Sunday Read: ‘Spirited Away to Miyazaki Land’
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Up First
Today, Explained
Matter of Opinion
NPR News Now
Pivot