Do You Know the History Behind the Official Juneteenth Flag?

The colors red, black, green and red, white and blue have become familiar symbols of Black history, pride and liberation. But they represent two different movements. As we celebrate Juneteenth, many people mistake the Juneteenth flag for the Pan-African flag… and now it’s time we break down the proper difference.

The confusion often comes from their shared connection to Black empowerment. Both flags represent freedom, strength and the fight against oppression, but they were created for different reasons and at different points in history.

The Pan-African flag dates back to 1920 and was created by activist Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association. The flag’s red, black and green colors represent the global African diaspora, according to the General Services Administration. Red symbolizes the sacrifices made in the liberation struggle, black represents Black communities and identity, and green represents the land and resources of Africa. Over time, the flag became a worldwide symbol of African heritage, unity and pride.

The Juneteenth flag has a much more specific connection to American history. It was created in 1997 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, according to CNN. It is a symbol for the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, we’ve previously told you. The date became a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the long and difficult journey toward equality.

The Juneteenth flag features red, white and blue colors, intentionally reflecting the United States and the role Black Americans have played in shaping the country. A white star in the center represents Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth, while also symbolizing freedom and a new beginning. The curved shape around the star represents a new horizon and continued progress.

Although the two flags may appear alongside one another during celebrations, their meanings are not interchangeable. The Pan-African flag represents a global connection to African ancestry and Black communities around the world. The Juneteenth flag represents a specific moment in African American history–the recognition of freedom after slavery.

Together, the flags highlight different parts of the Black experience: one honoring ancestral roots and worldwide identity, and the other recognizing emancipation, remembrance and the continued pursuit of justice.