Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, or Cel-Liberation Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19 in the United States. So we’ve rounded up the ten best movies to watch that highlight the black experience in detail. Talent includes Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, Shaka King, Chadwick Boseman, Shameik Moore, Denzel Washington, Danny Glover and many more.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the day Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 and announced that all slaves were free. This announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday has significant historical and cultural significance as it represents the final achievement of freedom for enslaved individuals in the United States.
Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the struggles and resistance of African Americans throughout history. It is a time for reflection, education and celebration of black heritage, achievements and contributions to society.
Over the years, it has also become an opportunity to engage in discussions about racial equality, social justice, and ongoing efforts to combat systemic racism. Here are a few of the many excellent films and documentaries worth watching in honor of Juneteenth.