What is Juneteenth and how does it differ from other holidays?

On 17 June 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making the day a federal public holiday.

 

What did this new holiday celebrate? What role does Juneteenth play in American history? How is it different from Martin Luther King Jr Day?

 

To discuss these questions Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the United States Studies Centre (USSC) Dr Kathryn Schumaker joined Director of Research Jared Mondschein on the podcast.

 

Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

 

Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat

What is USSC Briefing Room?

The USSC Briefing Room is a podcast from the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. It gives you a seat at the table for a briefing on the latest US news and foreign policy. Co-hosts Mari Koeck, Jared Mondschein and Victoria Cooper talk to experts to cover what you need to know and what's beneath the surface of the news.