Juneteenth Quotes, Wishes and Messages
In 2025, Juneteenth falls on Thursday, June 19. The annual commemoration is observed in recognition of June 19, 1865, the historic day in which Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, carrying a decree that ended the practice of slavery.
Though enslaved persons had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, many states didn’t abide by the executive order, including Texas. It wasn’t until Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston with Order No. 3, a decree releasing those that still remained enslaved, that the institution was officially abolished.
The declaration led to an outpouring of joyful celebrations and from them, Juneteenth was born.
A blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” Juneteenth has been a celebration of freedom for more than 150 years. ( S )
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, is a federal holiday in the United States. Here’s a look at its significance and some heartfelt quotes, messages and wishes you can share with your friends and family.
Juneteenth Quotes, Wishes and Messages
Juneteenth Quotes
“It’s freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody.” — Malcolm X
“Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave.” – Frederick Douglass
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” — Desmond Tutu
“Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind.” — James Baldwin
“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” — Coretta Scott King
“How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race?” —Marsha P. Johnson
“Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater.” — George Washington Carver
“Black liberation has never just been about Black people. It’s been about a fight for our humanity, for our dignity.” — Patrisse Cullors
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” —Abraham Lincoln
“Slavery is theft—theft of a life, theft of work, theft of any property or produce, theft even of the children a slave might have borne.” – Kevin Bales
“We must always be a strong presence, an unrelenting force working for equality and justice until the freedom gates are fully open.” — Dorothy Height
“Civility is the recognition that all people have dignity that’s inherent to their person, no matter their religion race, gender, sexuality or ability.” — Opal Tometi
“Juneteenth allows us to remember how far Black people have progressed since, and it is a reminder of the strength we have within us.” —Bethel Kyeza
“Whether we are born here or seek refuge here, there’s a place for us all. We must remember it’s not my America or your America. It’s our America.” — Michelle Obama
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“Where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.” — Barack Obama
“Now I’ve been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is. I have seen hundreds of escaped slaves, but I never saw one who was willing to go back and be a slave.” —Harriet Tubman
“You must never, ever give out. We must keep the faith because we are one people. We are brothers and sisters. We all live in the same house: the American house.” —John Lewis
“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: ‘I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.’” —Maya Angelou
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” —Barack Obama
“My fellow Americans, this is a special moment in our history. Just as people of all faiths and no faiths, and all backgrounds, creeds, and colors banded together decades ago to fight for equality and justice in a peaceful, orderly, nonviolent fashion, we must do so again.” —John Lewis
“If the cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. Because the goal of America is freedom, abused and scorned tho’ we may be, our destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“What I love about Juneteenth is that even in that extended wait, we still find something to celebrate. Even though the story has never been tidy, and Black folks have had to march and fight for every inch of our freedom, our story is nonetheless one of progress.”
– Michelle Obama
Juneteenth Wishes and Messages
To friends of all backgrounds: Join us in celebrating Juneteenth. Freedom is sweeter when shared!
Honoring the ancestors who turned hope into freedom. Your sacrifice fuels our purpose. Happy Juneteenth!
Juneteenth is our reminder to soar. Wishing you strength and joy as we celebrate the unbreakable spirit of freedom!
Juneteenth marks the day delayed justice finally arrived. Let’s educate, elevate, and celebrate freedom’s promise. Happy Juneteenth!
Happy Juneteenth! Today, we honor the past, celebrate progress, and recommit to building a future of true equality. Let freedom ring!
To my family: May Juneteenth remind us of our ancestors’ courage and inspire us to create a legacy of justice. Together, we rise!
Happy Juneteenth! May this day serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the ongoing pursuit of justice for all.
Freedom is a birthright, not a privilege. Happy Juneteenth to all who believe in a world where everyone can truly be free.
Sending warm wishes on Juneteenth. Let’s honor the legacy of those who endured and fought for freedom, and build a future worthy of their sacrifice.
Juneteenth reminds us that progress is possible, but work remains. Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and press forward with unwavering determination.
May the joy and resilience of Juneteenth fill your heart. Let this day empower us to advocate for a society where all voices are heard and valued.
Wishing you a day of powerful remembrance and joyful celebration this Juneteenth. May it strengthen our resolve for a just world.
On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom and acknowledge that the fight for justice is ongoing. Let this day reignite our passion for equality.
Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth filled with reflection on the past, appreciation for the present, and hope for a truly free future.
Juneteenth: A day to commemorate liberation, celebrate culture, and rededicate ourselves to the work of racial equity. Happy Freedom Day!
May the spirit of Juneteenth inspire us all to continue fighting for liberation and equality for every individual. Let’s make every day a step towards true freedom.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, let’s remember that freedom is an active process. May we all contribute to a world where everyone can live free from oppression.
Happy Juneteenth! Today, we reflect on the long road to freedom and recommit to upholding the values of justice, liberty, and equality for all Americans.
Happy Juneteenth! Today is a testament to perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Let’s celebrate our shared journey toward a more perfect union.
On this significant day, we acknowledge the pain of the past and embrace the promise of a future where true freedom and equality prevail for all. Happy Juneteenth.
Let’s embrace the true meaning of Juneteenth by fostering understanding, promoting unity, and working tirelessly for a future free from all forms of injustice.
Happy Juneteenth! May the spirit of this historic day encourage us to uplift one another and continue the pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive society.
This Juneteenth, let’s honor the journey from bondage to liberation, and commit to being agents of positive change in our communities and beyond.
Juneteenth is not a Black holiday, but an American holiday. It is a second Independence Day that reminds us freedom is a journey, not a destination.” Celebrate freedom!”
Juneteenth Quotes, Wishes and Messages
