Why Jan. 1 Would Be Better Day to Celebrate End of Slavery

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Galveston Bay, Texas learned they were free.

In 2021, June 19 became a national holiday, and while Carol Swain says it might be more appropriate for Americans to celebrate the end of slavery on Jan. 1, the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth is a wonderful opportunity for Americans to reflect on our nation’s past.

Swain, an award-winning author, political scientist, and former professor at Princeton and Vanderbilt University, joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss the history of Juneteenth and how Americans ought to celebrate the day. Swain also discusses her work in the field of education and the hopeful shift happening within U.S. colleges and universities.