Juneteenth flag facts for kids
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| Use | Commemorating the Juneteenth holiday |
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| Proportion | 2:3 |
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| Design | Upper half is blue and lower half is red. Colors are divided by a horizontal arch. In the center is a white star which is outlined. |
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The Juneteenth flag is an important symbol for the Juneteenth holiday in the United States. This special day celebrates freedom and the end of slavery for African Americans.
The first design of the flag was created in 1997 by an activist named Ben Haith. This early version was shown to the public in 1997. The flag we see today was first flown in the year 2000.
The colors and symbols on the flag tell a story of freedom and new beginnings. The date on the flag, June 19, 1865, marks a very important moment in history. This was when General Order No. 3 was announced in Galveston, Texas.
Since 2020, many states have honored Juneteenth by flying this flag over their capitol buildings. In 2021, President Joe Biden officially made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
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What Does the Juneteenth Flag Look Like?
The Juneteenth flag was designed in 1997 by activist Ben Haith, also known as "Boston Ben." He first showed an early version of the flag in Boston in June 1997. Later, in 2000, a refined design was created. Lisa Jeanne Graf, an illustrator, helped fine-tune the flag's look for the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF).
Colors and Symbols Explained
The flag uses the familiar colors of the American flag: red, white, and blue. In the very center, you'll see a bright, bursting white star.
A curved line, like an arc, runs horizontally through the middle of the flag. This arc represents a new horizon and fresh opportunities for African American people. Steve Williams, who leads the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, calls the star a "Bursting star of freedom."
The blue color above the arc and the red color below it also have meaning. The red reminds us of the challenges and sacrifices made by African Americans on their journey to freedom. The red, white, and blue colors together show that all formerly enslaved people and their families are truly American. In 2007, the date "June 19, 1865" was added to the flag.
A Special Date: June 19, 1865
The five-pointed star on the flag has two meanings. It represents Texas, often called the "Lone Star State." It also stands for the freedom of African Americans across all 50 states. Around this star, there's a 12-ray nova, which looks like a new star. This symbolizes a brand new start for everyone.
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This document declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate States were free. The American Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.
Then, on June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He announced General Order No. 3, which officially ended slavery in Texas. This was a huge moment for freedom. The Juneteenth Flag proudly displays this important date.
One year later, in 1866, formerly enslaved people in Texas celebrated this day for the first time. They called it "Jubilee Day."
How the Flag is Used and Celebrated
The Juneteenth flag was first officially flown in 2000 at Boston's Roxbury Heritage State Park. Ben Haith organized this first flag-raising event.
Starting in 2020, many state governors across the United States began ordering the Juneteenth flag to be raised. They flew it over their capitol buildings on June 19. For example, in 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ordered the flag to be flown for the entire month of June. When the flag was raised in Wisconsin, state senator Lena Taylor and others celebrated the occasion with enthusiasm. The flag was also raised over the Cincinnati City Hall in 2020.
In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker ordered the flag to be flown above the Illinois State Capitol on June 19, 2021. A very important step happened in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed a law. This law made Juneteenth a federal holiday, meaning it is recognized nationwide.
Beyond government buildings, the Juneteenth flag has been seen in other places too. In 2020, the Boston Red Sox baseball team raised the flag over Fenway Park. The University of Nebraska also flew the flag alongside their state flag in 2020. The Juneteenth Flag was displayed again at Fenway Park on June 19, 2022, next to the Flag of the United States of America.
Flag Variations
In May 2025, the Salt Lake City, Utah city council approved new city flags. One of these, called the Sego Celebration Flag, was inspired by the Juneteenth flag. It looks very similar to the Juneteenth flag. The main difference is the addition of a sego lily in the top left corner. This Sego Celebration Flag was created as a special city flag.
See also
- Black nationalism
- Ethnic flag
- Pan-African flag
