Which of the June Holidays Will You Celebrate?
by Blog Editor
Each month has its own unique holiday; some have more than one. We are a nation of celebrations.
As I was searching for June holidays, I realized that every holiday, one way or another, has its connections to Family History. In June, for example, we celebrate Flag Day and Father’s Day. Two well-known holidays with documented records that can help families with their research into the past. There is another holiday in June that is significant to a large segment of our great nation. It is Juneteenth. . .
Each month has its own unique holiday; some have more than one. We are a nation of celebrations.
As I was searching for June holidays, I realized that every holiday, one way or another, has its connections to Family History. In June, for example, we celebrate Flag Day and Father’s Day. Two well-known holidays with documented records that can help families with their research into the past. There is another holiday in June that is significant to a large segment of our great nation. It is Juneteenth. . .
June 14th – Flag Day
On June the 14th, Americans celebrate the adoption of the first U.S. national flag which is also known as Old Glory or the Stars and Stripes. The Continental Congress approved the first American flag on June 14th, 1777. The flag was changed in 1818 when five additional states joined the Union and Congress passed legislation stating that the number of stripes should be fixed at 13 and the number of stars on the flag should equal the number of states.
On June the 14th, Americans celebrate the adoption of the first U.S. national flag which is also known as Old Glory or the Stars and Stripes. The Continental Congress approved the first American flag on June 14th, 1777. The flag was changed in 1818 when five additional states joined the Union and Congress passed legislation stating that the number of stripes should be fixed at 13 and the number of stars on the flag should equal the number of states.
 Presenting Our New Flag to President Washington |  Old Glory With Thirteen States Represented |
Our Flag Today With All Fifty States Honored After three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
June 14, 2015 - Happy 240th Army Birthday!
Two hundred forty years ago, our nation's leaders established the Continental Army. Today, the Army is the strategic land power of the joint force; called upon to prevent, shape and win against our adversaries.
This year, we celebrate 240 years of selfless service to the nation. Selfless service is at the core of what it means to be a Soldier - putting the welfare of others ahead of oneself. The willingness of our Soldiers - to place themselves in harm's way and to protect our nation's freedoms - is what makes us the premier all-volunteer force. The Army has served proudly, faithfully, and selflessly for 240 years, and we remain steadfast in our commitment.
The Army continues to serve the United States with extraordinary Soldiers, Families and civilians, who display exceptional character in defense of our nation. The Soldiers of the Continental Army helped forge a bond with Americans built on duty and victory, which sustains our profession 240 years later. As we answer the nation's call, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in our fight for freedom.
Two hundred forty years ago, our nation's leaders established the Continental Army. Today, the Army is the strategic land power of the joint force; called upon to prevent, shape and win against our adversaries.
This year, we celebrate 240 years of selfless service to the nation. Selfless service is at the core of what it means to be a Soldier - putting the welfare of others ahead of oneself. The willingness of our Soldiers - to place themselves in harm's way and to protect our nation's freedoms - is what makes us the premier all-volunteer force. The Army has served proudly, faithfully, and selflessly for 240 years, and we remain steadfast in our commitment.
The Army continues to serve the United States with extraordinary Soldiers, Families and civilians, who display exceptional character in defense of our nation. The Soldiers of the Continental Army helped forge a bond with Americans built on duty and victory, which sustains our profession 240 years later. As we answer the nation's call, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in our fight for freedom.
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Ashton Villa, from whose front balcony General Order #3 was read on June 19, 1865 Juneteenth - June 19
Juneteenth stands for June 19. It also stands for Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jun-Jun. It is the oldest African-American observance in the United States. This observance is to celebrate freedom from slavery that spread across this country.
As we all know, it was slavery that was the main issue that lead up to the Civil War in 1861. One year later, in 1862, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico territories passed laws abolishing slavery. Then on September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to the rebellious states who did not want to end slavery that if they didn't return to the Union by January 1, 1863, he would declare their slaves automatically "forever free." The rebellious states who succeeded from the Union were: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Caroline, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas and Virginia. The declaration President Lincoln declared led to the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that the slaves in those 11 resistant states were free. Two years later, on January 31, 1865, Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery throughout the entire United States.
On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger (along with his federal troops) arrived in Galveston, Texas originally intending to force slave owners to release their slaves. Back in those days, they didn't have CNN to instantly give breaking news. So, even though the slaves in the southern states were declared free in 1863, word didn't reach the slaves until 1865. It took two years for them to learn they were free!
Originally, June 19th observation of General Granger's arrival was only celebrated in Texas and Louisiana. This is because General Granger left from New Orleans to go to Texas. Soon the celebration went to Arkansas. Then as the free Blacks migrated, they also took this celebration with them all over.
Juneteenth stands for June 19. It also stands for Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jun-Jun. It is the oldest African-American observance in the United States. This observance is to celebrate freedom from slavery that spread across this country.
As we all know, it was slavery that was the main issue that lead up to the Civil War in 1861. One year later, in 1862, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico territories passed laws abolishing slavery. Then on September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to the rebellious states who did not want to end slavery that if they didn't return to the Union by January 1, 1863, he would declare their slaves automatically "forever free." The rebellious states who succeeded from the Union were: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Caroline, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas and Virginia. The declaration President Lincoln declared led to the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that the slaves in those 11 resistant states were free. Two years later, on January 31, 1865, Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery throughout the entire United States.
On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger (along with his federal troops) arrived in Galveston, Texas originally intending to force slave owners to release their slaves. Back in those days, they didn't have CNN to instantly give breaking news. So, even though the slaves in the southern states were declared free in 1863, word didn't reach the slaves until 1865. It took two years for them to learn they were free!
Originally, June 19th observation of General Granger's arrival was only celebrated in Texas and Louisiana. This is because General Granger left from New Orleans to go to Texas. Soon the celebration went to Arkansas. Then as the free Blacks migrated, they also took this celebration with them all over.
 Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas, on June 19, 1900 |  Emancipation Day celebration in Richmond, Virginia in 1905 |
Junteenth Celebration in Richmond, California Although Juneteenth is political in its origin, the celebration of it is spent just having fun. There are often picnics, beauty pageants, parades, talent contests, baseball games and other sporting events. Almost all events include singing and dancing. This expression of happiness is to symbolize all the fun celebrations that took place years ago on New Year's Eve in 1862, when President Lincoln officially announced that the slaves of the 11 southern states that seceded from the Union were free!
June 21st – Father’s Day
There are a range of events, which may have inspired the idea of Father's Day. One of these was the start of the Mother's Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in December 1907.
There are a range of events, which may have inspired the idea of Father's Day. One of these was the start of the Mother's Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in December 1907.
Sonora Smart Dodd and Her Father A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was an influential figure in the establishment of Father's Day. Her father raised six children by himself after the death of their mother. This was uncommon at that time, as many widowers placed their children in the care of others or quickly married again.
Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations. Sonora felt that her father deserved recognition for what he had done. The first time Father's Day was held in June was in 1910. Father's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.
Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations. Sonora felt that her father deserved recognition for what he had done. The first time Father's Day was held in June was in 1910. Father's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.