Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom Commemorating the End of Slavery in the US
On June 19, 1865, freedom finally arrived as over 250,000 enslaved people were freed. This day is known as Juneteenth, a term merging June and Nineteenth, and it celebrates federal troops taking control of Galveston, Texas, and freeing the slaves. Two and a half years prior to this, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, however it only ordered areas under Confederate control to free their slaves. The question of slavery had long divided the nation before the start of the Civil War, and even with the Emancipation Proclamation, border states and rebel areas under the Union’s control still did not need to free their slaves. In Texas, slavery still existed because it had not seen large-scale fighting or many Union troops. Some slave owners even moved to the Lone Star State. Then, after the Civil War drew to a close in 1865, General Granger, along with his troops, announced
the end of slavery. In some areas, the end wasn’t immediate — in fact, some slave owners waited until after harvest season before complying with the order. As early as a year later on June 19, 1866, many former slaves celebrated the great significance of Juneteenth with parties, barbecues, prayer services, and dances. Today, Juneteenth is considered to be the longest-running holiday and celebration for the African American community. Texas declared Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day, to be a state holiday in 1980, and last year, on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a law stating that Juneteenth is now a federal holiday! The District of Columbia and almost all 50 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. This June, we celebrate the emancipation of the slaves as the official end of slavery in the United States!
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce •
1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!
2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
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2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp honey Juice of 1 lime
3/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
For the Skewers •
2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
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