Good morning, it’s Wednesday, June 19th. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.
Newsletter
You are reading the Essential California Newsletter.
Our journalists bring you the biggest news, features and recommendations every morning
Please enter your e-mail address
sign up
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
The History of Juneteenth and How to Celebrate It in Los Angeles
On this day in 1865, the federal government arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared that all slaves must be freed. Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in 1863, it wasn’t implemented until the end of the Civil War and the surrender of the Confederate states.
As a result, Texas slaves were the last people in the Confederacy to know that they were free. June 19, now known as Juneteenth, is a symbolic holiday celebrating black history, culture, and unity.
For over 150 years, states across the country have celebrated Juneteenth with parades, barbecues, music festivals, and other fun activities — more on that later — but it took just as long for the federal government to recognize the day.
On June 16, 2021, Congress made Juneteenth (June 19) a federal holiday. More than half of the United States observed the day as a national holiday, giving state employees the day off and closing state government offices.
Children show off their T-shirts and pose for a portrait during the Juneteenth Festival at Leimert Park on June 18, 2022 in Los Angeles.
(Gabriella Angotti-Jones/The Times)
Although it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the holidays, it’s important to remember why the holidays exist.
The 1865 Proclamation of Freedom did not put an end to institutional racism and its discriminatory effects in housing, employment, and education, nor did it stop violence against black people.
But there is still reason to celebrate, for the Black people who endured centuries of slavery and their descendants who continue to fight for the rights of Black Americans.
Here’s how to celebrate the holiday in Los Angeles.
Eat red foods
Watermelon. Red velvet cake. Barbecue ribs. These are just some of the red foods you’ll find in Los Angeles that symbolize Juneteenth.
My colleague Daniel Dorsey writes that there are many different ideas about what it means to eat red foods on Juneteenth: Some believe early celebrants simply used ingredients that were readily available and in season and happened to be red, while others say it was to honor the bloodshed and suffering of enslaved ancestors.
Here are 14 Black-owned restaurants and markets in Los Angeles where you can buy red food and drinks for Juneteenth.
Go to a concert or stream it online
Kendrick Lamar will remind us at his Juneteenth concert in Inglewood why he’s the champion of this year’s fiercest rap feud with Drake.
He’ll headline “The Pop Out — Ken & Friends” at the Forum today at 4 p.m. The lineup has yet to be announced. Resale tickets are available for purchase starting at $240, but you can also stream the concert on Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile in Hollywood, rapper T-Pain is co-producing a one-night-only event celebrating Juneteenth and black music at the Hollywood Bowl starting at 8 tonight. Tickets are available on the Hollywood Bowl website starting at $25.
Learn more about holidays
Head out to Manhattan Beach later this morning to take part in the Juneteenth Ceremony at Bruce Beach Park, featuring community speakers, special guests and a gospel choir.
Further south, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration from 1 to 2 pm, featuring music, storytelling and other holiday traditions.
Today’s Top News
Firefighters extinguished the blaze while battling the Post Fire in northern Los Angeles County.
(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
California Law
Politics and Elections
Housing costs
LA City Council
Forest fire
crime
Other big news
Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here.
Today’s Recommended Articles
Ben Larson says his 500-square-foot efficiency ADU rental is “perfect for living alone,” but still has space for visiting family, extra sports equipment and, most importantly, his dog, Theo.
(Jason LeCras/The Times)
First, they built an ADU perfect for surfers. Now they’re ready to travel like nomads. Los Angeles architect Cameron McNall converted the garage behind his Los Angeles home into a light-filled, airy 500-square-foot ADU. He and his wife are now renting out both properties and embarking on a world trip.
Other recommended articles
How can we make this newsletter more helpful? Send your thoughts to [email protected].
During breaks
(Photo illustration by Los Angeles Times; Photos by National Park Service, Dolphin Safari, Highway 1 Road Trip; Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)
Go out
Stay at
And finally… some powerful photos
Tell us your favorite place in California. We’re running low on submissions. Send us your iconic California photo and it could be featured in an Essential California issue.
Firefighters are battling a blaze on Owin Road in the Gorman area of northern Los Angeles County.
(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)
Today’s powerful photo comes from Times photographer Jason Almond, who covered the first major wildfire of 2024 in Los Angeles County.
Have a great day! Yours, The Essential California Team
Kevinisha Walker, Multiplatform Editor, Saturday Reporter
Christian Orozco, Assistant Editor
Check out the top stories, topics and latest coverage at latimes.com.