Juneteenth Is Not a Rival to the Fourth of July — It’s the Fulfillment of It

Ayesha Kreutz
7 hours ago
3 min read

When we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, we rightly remember the Declaration of Independence and the birth of this great republic. But for nearly a century after 1776, millions of Americans still lived in chains. That’s why Juneteenth—June 19, 1865—is not a rival to the Fourth of July; it is its completion.

The story of Juneteenth is one of triumph over injustice, of America confronting its gravest sin and choosing redemption over ruin. It was Abraham Lincoln—a Republican, lest anyone forget—who signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. But it took Union General Gordon Granger riding into Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to finally proclaim to the last enslaved Americans: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights…”

Spontaneous celebrations broke out across Galveston. Their prayers—and the prayers of their ancestors—had been answered. By 1872, Black Americans in Houston raised $1,000 to purchase land for Emancipation Park, a permanent site to remember what they called Jubilee Day or Freedom Day.

Far from being a modern invention, Juneteenth celebrations are part of a living, generational tradition rooted in the deepest ideals of the American experiment: liberty, justice, and the dignity of the individual.

But Juneteenth is not just a moment of political liberation—it echoes the moral tradition that shaped Western civilization itself. In the Old Testament, Jubilee was the year when captives were set free and debts were forgiven. Christians believe that this ancient practice points to the ultimate freedom bought for all people through Christ’s sacrifice. Yes, some wickedly twisted Christianity to justify slavery, but it was also the Bible’s clear teaching of human dignity that fueled the abolitionist movement. Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and countless other heroes of liberty were guided by that very faith.

For Republicans especially, Juneteenth should be embraced, not feared. Ours is the party of Lincoln. The Republican Party was founded to oppose the spread of slavery, and it was Republican members of Congress who pushed for the 13th Amendment to finally eradicate slavery under law. Even President Trump, in his Platinum Plan for Black Americans, pledged to make Juneteenth a national holiday before it was ultimately signed by President Biden.

Some today sadly oppose Juneteenth out of ignorance of history or a misguided belief that acknowledging America’s sins means rejecting her greatness. They could not be more wrong. Juneteenth is not a condemnation of America—it is a celebration of America’s capacity for repentance and renewal. It’s what makes this country exceptional: we don’t hide from our failures—we confront them, overcome them, and strive toward “a more perfect union.”

Frederick Douglass, on July 5, 1852, famously asked his fellow Americans: “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?” It was then an unanswered question. But now we know. The Fourth of July belongs to all Americans precisely because of the Emancipation Proclamation and because of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth answers that question with power, with truth, and with the testimony of a nation determined—imperfect though it may be—to live up to its founding creed.

Juneteenth is not a threat to our history. It is one of our finest chapters.

If we truly love America, we should celebrate not just her birth—but her redemption.

Chaplain Ayesha Kreutz is a Christian missionary, Project 21 ambassador, and executive director of Am I Not a Child, dedicated to restoring biblical values and defending life, liberty, and justice in America. Once raised by atheists and communists, she found redemption through faith and now leads grassroots initiatives, legislative advocacy, and political campaigns at all levels, including efforts with the Frederick Douglass Foundation and Project 2025. Ayesha is a sought-after speaker, author, and media contributor, known for sharing her powerful testimony of abuse, abortion, and salvation to inspire civic engagement, protect the preborn, and promote a Christian worldview. She and her husband, Matthew, homeschooled their three children while pursuing their shared mission.