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UP TO $11.14 OFF: As of June 19, get Elden Ring on sale ahead of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC launch this Friday. Get it at Amazon for PlayStation 5 for $49.94, or at Walmart for Xbox for $48.85. It's also on sale at multiple other retailers.

'Elden Ring' Deals Best "Elden Ring" PS5 Deal "Elden Ring" $49.94 at Amazon (Save $10.05) Get Deal Best "Elden Ring" Xbox Deal "Elden Ring" $48.85 at Walmart (Save $11.14) Get Deal

Arise, ye Tarnished, and make sure you're ready for the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC when it debuts this Friday. The first expansion for the massively popular Soulslike is arriving with an extensive set of new content to explore in just days, and if you haven't yet played through the original game, you've got scant time yet to be ready for the experience.

If you've not yet taken your maiden voyage to the Lands Between with 2022's hit game, now's a good time to go ahead and pick it up so you can at least get started before the DLC hits all platforms. You can do that and save some cash right now, as Elden Ring is currently on sale for both Xbox and PlayStation at multiple retailers.

Right now, you can get Elden Ring for the lowest prices we've found at Amazon and Walmart. As of June 19, get Elden Ring on sale at Amazon for PlayStation 5 for $49.94, or at Walmart for Xbox for $48.85. It's also on sale at multiple other retailers. There aren't any current PC deals available across retailers like Steam, so it looks like console players are getting the best of this deal for the moment, but if you're a console player looking to dive in, these prices are still worth taking advantage of.

SEE ALSO: Get $50 off the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX gaming headset at Amazon

Elden Ring is a challenge in and of itself that's been the fantasy game of choice for gamers since its debut. Part of the FromSoftware "Souls" series, it's known for its brutal difficulty, imaginative worldbuilding, disturbing creatures, and nuanced combat. It might not be for everyone, but for those who embrace it and its darkness, it makes for an immersive good time with some of the finest in-game lore you'll find in a Western action-adventure game.

Shadow of the Erdtree is the game's first expansion, and it will take players on a lengthy quest with hours of additional content. It's currently up for preorder and will arrive on all platforms Friday.

More Elden Ring deals

• Elden Ring (Xbox) at Amazon — $49.99 $59.95 (save $9.96)

• Elden Ring (PS5) at Walmart — $49.94 $59.95 (save $10.05)

• Elden Ring (PS5) at Best Buy — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)

Festival season is officially upon us. Glastonbury is right around the corner. And as we head into the height of summer, there will be a festival pretty much every other day. 

If you’re a festival ticket holder this year, there are probably a few things you’re planning on doing: having a few drinks, eating some great food, seeing some of your favourite bands, trying not to think about the fact you’ll be sleeping on the ground for a weekend. And, of course, having sex. 

According to research from sex toy company Lovehoney, 39 percent of Brits have had sex at a festival. This figure grows among younger people, too. Over half (55 percent) of those aged 18 to 34 have had sex at a festival at some point. Yet, festival sex is a complete pain in the arse. Or the genitals. Or wherever else you plan on having sex. In fact, only 12 percent of those surveyed said that festival sex was great and 12 percent saying it was ‘just okay’. So, what's going wrong?

Yes, festival sex is fun, and it’s practically a rite of passage, but it’s a complete nightmare to facilitate. You’re not sure when you’re going to get a proper, hot shower (even if you’ve paid for the bougie pamper pass upgrades), you’ve often drank so much you’re not sure if you really should have sex but you’re still horny, and the only place you have to bring someone back to is a tiny pop-up two-man tent tightly packed with all your belongings, and possibly your mate having a snooze. 

SEE ALSO: The essential guide to mirror sex

It’s inevitably going to happen though. So, we spoke to the experts as well as those who love shagging at festivals to see how to do it best. 

Prepare for festival sex before you head off

The first part of preparing for sex comes before the festival even happens. Ask yourself, are you probably going to have sex at this festival? Are you single? Bringing your partner with you? Have you had sex at a festival before? Consider whether you’re likely to have sex and if your answer is even a "maybe," you should take it as a "yeah, probably" and prepare thoroughly. 

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Before heading to the festival, make sure you take an STI test so you know where you stand sexual health-wise. While purchasing a tent and stocking up on supplies might be at the forefront of your pre-festival checklist, it's essential to prioritise getting an STI test, especially if it’s likely you’ll be doing it with a new sexual partner and even if you plan on using a condom. 

Pippa Murphy, sex expert at condom provider condoms.co.uk says this will "not only safeguard your future partners but also provide you with peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy the moment while being intimate."

"Although some festivals, like Glastonbury, distribute free condoms, buying and bringing your own is wise to ensure you're prepared."

And speaking of condoms, you’ll need to bring plenty of those — or whatever your preferred barrier contraception method is — even if you have a consistent sexual partner. "Although some festivals, like Glastonbury, distribute free condoms, buying and bringing your own is wise to ensure you're prepared," Murphy says. 

"This is especially crucial if you have a latex allergy and need a non-latex alternative. Even if you or your regular partner are using other forms of contraception, I’d still recommend that you bring condoms as naturally having sex in a small tent can make for a messy job — and it’s always in the most awkward of times where you realise you forgot to bring anything that can help clean up the mess."

28-year-old Ella* says festival sex is her "favourite kind of sex" and recommends stocking up on the morning after pill before-hand if possible, too. "I try to just to hand and oral sex at festivals as there’s less chance of STI or pregnancy mis-haps, but I’m also realistic and know that, after a few pints, I’m gonna want a full-on fuck," she says. So, she brings along some emergency contraception just in case. 

"Condoms just rip sometimes, man. Or they fall off or you forget to put them on when you’re being stupid. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a field thinking 'oh my god' when you’ve had an accident, so I bring a morning-after pill with me." Ella adds that condoms also reduce "mess" during sex for the receiver, so they’re a win-win. 

"The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a field thinking 'oh my god' when you’ve had an accident, so I bring a morning-after pill with me."

For those in the queer community, it’s also worth taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) with you to festivals. As Murphy notes, sometimes drunk festival go-ers skip past the important pre-sex conversations where STI status would be disclosed, and sometimes condoms get forgotten in the heat of the moment. If there’s any chance you could ever be at risk of contracting HIV, PrEP reduces your chance of transmission down by 99 percent and it is available for free on the NHS. Though, keep in mind that it doesn’t protect against any other STIs, and you should still get tested after every new partner even if you’re on PrEP. 

While we don’t recommend having any unprotected sex at a festival, these measures will have your back if accidents happen. Keep in mind that LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives) like the implant, pill, injection or coil do not protect from STIs and a condom should be worn with new sexual partners. You can get the morning after pill from Superdrug, Boots, and most pharmacies both in-person and online.  

Consider post-sex packing too

You know how, after sex, there can be a bit of… mess? On you and on the bed? Now imagine that in a small tent with limited access to good showers! Yeah, you’re going to need to pack some items for after sex as well.

It might be worth upgrading your ticket to one that includes warm shower access if you’re a top festival shagger. But whether you have access to post-sex clean-downs or not, Murphy says wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and a towel are worth packing to keep things clean. 

Yeah, you’re going to need to pack some items for after sex as well.

"It’s important to practise hygienic sex to prevent an infection. If you’re camping, you should take hand sanitiser to keep your hands and fingernails clean for foreplay, and general skin-to-skin contact," Murphy advises. 

You should also pack fragrance-free wet wipes that are ideal for cleaning yourself pre- and post-sex (along with extra underwear which you can never have too much of whilst at a festival). The "fragrance free" part of the wipes is important, particularly for people with vaginas, as some fragrances and chemicals can alter the pH balance of the vagina and result in conditions like thrush, UTIs, or BV.  

SEE ALSO: What do intimate washes do to our vaginas?

Another good wet wipe festival hack: take them, or your own toilet paper, with you to the toilet at festivals (either find flushable fragrance free wipes, or keep hold of non-flushable wipes and dispose of them afterwards). As a woman, it's essential to bring toilet paper and vagina-safe wet wipes with you when going to the toilets to have a wee. Women are at a higher risk of developing UTIs at festivals due to the "shaking clean method" often employed when they discover a lack of toilet paper. To prevent this, using vagina-safe wet wipes and toilet paper is the most effective approach, as both offer a more thorough cleaning. This reduces the likelihood of infections and helps maintain overall genital hygiene.

"Changing your underwear regularly can help maintain good hygiene and prevent discomfort from sweat and dirt, especially if you don’t have access to any showers," Murphy says, so bring loads of clean pants. 

"I’d also recommend bringing a small, lightweight towel or blanket to lay on during sex. This provides a barrier between you and the potentially dirty ground, ensuring a cleaner and more comfortable experience so you can stay within the moment," she adds. 

What to do if you’re on the pill at a festival

If you take the contraceptive pill, set an alarm so you don’t forget to take your contraception at the same time each day. Festivals often involve packed schedules, late nights, and numerous distractions. Amid the excitement, it can be easy to forget about taking your contraception, especially if you’re drinking alcohol or taking other substances as this can impair your memory and decision-making skills.

"Setting a reminder or alarm will ensure you don't miss a dose as even one lapse in your routine can lead to an unintended pregnancy. Also, knowing that you have a reminder set can alleviate anxiety about forgetting to take your contraception. This peace of mind allows you to fully enjoy the festival experience without unnecessary worry," Murphy says. 

SEE ALSO: How to have sex on your period

If you are on the pill and happen to forget, Murphy says to take it as soon as you remember. And if you miss two days, check the instructions included in your pill packet and follow their suggestion. 

Remember that if you lose your contraception during the course of the festival, a lot of festivals now have contraception tents set up where you can access condoms and the morning after pill. Some also have HIV and other STI testing spaces, which are worth using if you ever have any concerns. 

What to consider before having sex at a festival

Before getting intimate at a festival, there are several factors to consider to ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for both you and your partner — especially if one or both of you are high or drunk, which tends to happen a lot at festivals. 

Murphy says there are four factors, in particular, that need looking out for: 

Consent

Intoxication can impair a person's ability to give informed and enthusiastic consent. Ensure that both you and your partner are sober enough to provide clear and ongoing consent throughout the encounter. If it’s not an enthusiastic ‘yes!’, it’s a no.

"If your partner is intoxicated, prioritise their welfare over your sexual frustration and wait until they’re sober enough to give clear consent," says Murphy. Maybe you can meet up another time when your heads are more clear. You can read Mashable’s guide to drunk sex and whether it’s ever okay here. 

SEE ALSO: How to have sober sex Communication

Alcohol or drug use can affect a person's ability to communicate effectively, which is essential for discussing boundaries, preferences, and any concerns. "These should be discussed when you’re sober enough to have a conversation about all of the above," Murphy says. 

Safety

Intoxication can increase the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours or making poor decisions, such as not using protection or engaging in unsafe sexual practices. Keep everything you need for safe sex in an easy-to-grab bag in your tent or on your person with items like protection and lube to make it easier to access everything you need. 

Where to have sex at a festival and how to navigate it if you feel awkward

One word we’d never use to describe festival sex: discreet. If you’re someone who prefers privacy for sex, festivals can make that tricky. You might have to just accept that your tent is going to wobble and people might hear you (it’s all part of the festival vibes, really!) but if you do want discretion, there’s some things you can try. 

Murphy says "Having sex at a festival can be an exciting and unique experience, however, if you’re walked in on or spotted having sex, it can turn an adrenaline-pumping experience into an awkward one. With this in mind, the best place to have sex is somewhere that offers privacy, comfort and safety — which is likely to be your tent." 

So, make sure your tent is pitched flat and is prevented from shaking too much. "Uneven ground can cause your tent to wobble more easily which may cause unwanted attention. To prevent this further, I’d also recommend placing heavy objects inside the corners of your tent to weigh it down to reduce the shaking even more," Murphy recommends.

22-year-old Tammy* is a frequent festival goer and self-confessed "top festival shagger", and she recommends bringing a portable speaker along for sex, too. "Portable speakers are a must at festivals anyway for getting ready vibes and campsite parties, but they’re also good to have in your tent or just outside of it during sex to drown out any sex noises," she tells Mashable.  

SEE ALSO: Get a portable Bose Soundlink speaker for only $99, plus more of the best Bose deals

"You can also shag during the daytime or when one of the main acts you don’t care about are on as there won’t be that many people in the camp site," she adds. 

Murphy recommends looking for "chill out zones" where sex can be more private, too. "Some festivals even provide designated areas for relaxation and intimacy. These spaces are typically more secluded and can offer a more comfortable environment for sex." If your festival isn’t providing these, you might find some areas that make for a natural chill-out zone after some exploring.  

As for when to have sex, it’s probably best to have it sooner rather than later. Of course, you can have sex whenever you like but considering the lack of cleaning facilities and the general grubbiness of festivals, you might want to shag early into the festival. 

Murphy says, "As the festival goes on, your tent is more likely to get dirtier as you head in and out of it, or if you only have wet wipes to clean yourself. Secondly, whilst festivals are fun, they’re also physically demanding so you may lose your libido and energy for sex as the days go on," she says.   

Remember that festivals are all about the fun and spontaneous atmosphere, and you’re better off embracing this than trying to have "perfect" sex (impossible at the best of times, let alone at festivals). If you take the unique setting and awkward moments into your stride and find ways to laugh together, the pressure will diffuse and you’ll have a much more relaxed time. 

This article was first published in 2023 and republished in 2024.

TL;DR: Watch West Indies vs. England in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It’s West Indies and England up next in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and it’s not one to miss. The group 2 teams will go head to head in the second match of the Super Eights.

West Indies last played Afghanistan, winning by an impressive 104 runs. Can the co-host nation keep their winning streak?

If you want to tune into the West Indies vs. England in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.

When is West Indies vs. England ?

West Indies vs. England in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on June 19 / 1:30 a.m. BST on June 20. This fixture takes place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

How to watch West Indies vs. England for free

Cricket fans in India can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on the Disney+ Hotstar app, including next game between West Indies and England.

For fans elsewhere in the world, to access this free content (which is geo-restricted to India), you'll need a VPN. VPNs are powerful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can watch West Indies vs. England, and more T20 fixtures from anywhere in the world.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

4. Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app

5. Watch West Indies vs. England in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch T20 cricket matches for free.

What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch West Indies vs. England in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch South Africa vs. United States in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We’re now into the second stage of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and it’s been a great tournament so far. This year sees the debut of the new Super 8s format where the eight qualifying teams will be divided into two groups of four. Each team will play the others in their group once, and the top two teams from each of these groups progress to the semi-finals.

The first up in group two is South Africa and the United States.

If you want to watch South Africa vs. United States in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is South Africa vs. United States?

South Africa vs. United States in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

How to watch South Africa vs. United States for free

Smartphone users in India can watch the 2024 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup for free on Disney+ Hotstar, including the latest fixture between South Africa and the United States.

While this free content is technically geo-restricted to India, anyone from around the world can access this free live stream by using a VPN. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free content on the Disney+ Hotstar app from anywhere in the world.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

4. Download the Disney+ Hotstar mobile app

5. Watch South Africa vs. United States in the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select games before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Disney+ Hotstar?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing live sport on Disney+ Hotstar, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch South Africa vs. United States in the 2024 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 38%: The Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD is just $279.99 for Prime members with code PRIME50. That's a $170 discount off the normal price of $449.99. Non-Prime members can also get the TV on sale for $329.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD $279.99 at Amazon
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Many of us have settled for convenience when we should be demanding quality. If you've been streaming your favorite shows on a tiny smartphone screen or watching summer Hollywood hits on a subpar tablet, it's time for an upgrade. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, your shows could look better than ever for a fraction of the price.

As of June 19, the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD is on sale for Prime members for just $279.99, down from the usual price of $449.99. That's a 38% discount or a savings of $170. To score this sale price, enter promo code PRIME50 at checkout. This sale price for Prime members is the lowest price we've ever seen for this TV. If you're not an Amazon Prime member, you can still cash in on the sale price of $329.99. That's a savings of $120.

If you're not an Amazon Prime member, you can grab a yearly membership for $139 or you can start a free 30-day trial to see if Prime is right for you. With Amazon Prime Day coming up in July, it's the perfect time to sign up.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

If you're not looking for a giant 65- or 70-inch TV, the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series is a great mid-size option, especially given its lower price point. The TV uses 4K Ultra HD to offer great picture quality when watching your favorite shows and movies.

It also comes with a Fire TV Alexa voice remote, which means you can ask Alexa to pick up on the episode you last paused. If you're tuned in while getting ready in the morning, you can also ask Alexa what the weather will be like to plan your wardrobe accordingly.

You'll find three HDMI ports, one USB-C port, and an ethernet port on the Fire TV for easy connection to all essentials. Plus, Amazon is tossing in a free 6-month subscription to MGM+ so you'll have plenty to stream on your new TV this summer.

Instead of watching your summer favorites on a tiny smartphone screen, upgrade to the 50-inch Fire TV 4-Series, on sale for Prime members for just $279.99. Say goodbye to squinting through subtitles from here on out.

Just days before its 156th anniversary in 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth, which marks the true end of slavery, an official federal holiday.

On July Fourth, the nation will celebrate its independence that began in 1776. Across the country, Americans, many with no ancestral connection to early colonists, will watch firework displays, march in parades, and proudly wear red, white, and blue star-spangled outfits.

As current Americans, we share pride in our country’s history and emulate the joy and sense of freedom felt by early colonists. But, on that jubilant day, enslaved Black people could not celebrate freedom. Slavery didn’t officially end until the signing of The Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. And in Texas, it didn’t end until the announcement reached Galveston on June 19, 1865.

Black people in Texas were bound to plantations and lived for 900 more days as slaves compared to those who got the news on time. For many, “Juneteenth” signifies the true emancipation day from slavery. It is also called “Freedom Day” — the day all slaves were granted their freedom. It was a day for celebration.

As celebrations online and off commence, here are four things you should know about this important day in American history.

1. It’s a relatively new federal holiday, but was recognized in 49 states before that.

Prior to its federal recognition, which means federal employees get a paid day off, D.C. and every state but one already commemorated Juneteenth in some way. Not all of those states gave a paid day off. The paid federal holiday could encourage more private employers — and states — to follow suit.

At least 28 states and the District of Columbia legally observe Juneteenth, which has its own red, white, and blue flag, as a paid holiday. Juneteenth has been a paid state holiday in Texas since 1980.

In 2020, corporations like Best Buy, Nike, and Target took the lead in making Juneteenth a paid holiday for their employees, and a growing list of other companies are following their lead. The governmental and corporate change came after a summer of protesting police violence against Black people.

The fight for a national holiday gained momentum as many more people agreed that Juneteenth deserved its proper place in American history.

Juneteenth activist, Opal Lee from Houston, Texas was one of the strongest voices pushing the measure forward. At 89 years old, Lee walked 2.5 miles in a variety of states — to symbolize the more than two and a half years it took for news of emancipation to reach Galveston — over about four months, starting in Fort Worth, Texas and ending in Washington, D.C. in January 2017 to encourage lawmakers to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

She also netted 1.6 million signatures on a Change.org petition to move the needle. Other advocate groups formed for the same purpose. This includes the Juneteenth Foundation, which hosts an annual Freedom Festival and aims "to celebrate the excellence of Black culture and freedom."

Tweet may have been deleted

It took over 15 years to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the eleventh federal holiday and close to another 15 years for all states to embrace it, so many were concerned gaining a twelfth federal holiday would take some time. The journey to make Juneteenth an official national holiday has come to an end, but for some, the designation is long overdue.

2. It’s the longest running emancipation celebration for African Americans.

Juneteenth was created by former slaves and passed down to each new generation. In 1872, Rev. Jack Yates, a Baptist minister and former slave, led an initiative to buy 10 acres of land in Houston to create a designated area for Juneteenth celebrations. Called Emancipation Park, Black people gathered there to commemorate Freedom Day as the segregated city prevented them from using public parks.

Through migration, people began to celebrate the holiday in many states outside of Texas. On June 19, Black communities celebrate with many of the same traditions as those marking the Fourth of July.

Candice Foster, from Omaha, Nebraska, says at least three generations in her family have celebrated Juneteenth. “My neighborhood gets together and we have block parties, parades, and we have a Black history museum that we visit,” the insurance specialist says.

"Juneteenth is like a Black family reunion."

Melorra Green, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, works to support San Francisco's annual celebration in her role as the co-executive director of the African American Art & Culture Complex. She says the holiday reminds her of family.

“Juneteenth is like a Black family reunion. I remember in Memphis it was the one time you could see multiple families come together to play, laugh, and, sometimes, cry,” she says.

3. Food is a big part of the celebration.

Families gather on Juneteenth to celebrate with parades and block parties, but also with food. For Juneteenth celebrations, Black people revisit their stories of resilience during barbecues featuring red food and drinks, which represent perseverance.

This includes red hot link sausages, watermelon, red velvet cake, and red-tinted hibiscus tea. Some also believe that red is associated with West African food and religious traditions that traveled with slaves across the Atlantic Ocean.

4. It took 155 years and a social justice movement to gain national attention.

Sadly, many people in the country had never heard of Juneteenth until recent years. In the midst of a pandemic and the fights for racial justice after the murder of George Floyd, the Juneteenth celebration of 2020 gained national attention.

“We should acknowledge Juneteenth as American history, not just Black history.”

Although it was celebrated in the South and throughout the Midwest continuously, Freedom Day went mostly unrecognized nationally until former President Trump was harshly criticized for scheduling a rally on the same day in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where an entire Black town was wiped out by a racial massacre in 1921. This series of events encouraged more people to learn about the history of slavery and its continual impact on the lives of all Americans.

“We should acknowledge Juneteenth as American history, not just Black history,” says Cammie Jones, executive director of community engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion at Barnard College. But, the Texas native goes on to say that recognizing the day is not enough.

SEE ALSO: How whitewashed is TikTok? Let Kahlil Greene break it down for you.

“The holiday has become a point in the year where people are acknowledging in some capacity what has happened in our country. But, I hope it doesn’t stop or start on Juneteenth. It should continue. We should continue to figure out what liberation can look like. It shouldn’t stop or start at this day,” she says.

What can we still learn from Juneteenth?

Jones also suggests using Juneteenth as a starting point to learn more about systemic racism, and how you can play a role in ending it.

“Slavery is over and you may not still see people picking cotton in a field, but there are definitely forms of systemic oppression that are still around to this day in our society, and it is up to each of us to look into our communities," she says. "We need to do research and ask: What are forms of systemic racism? How can I be an ally, and not to take up space, but to provide resources and opportunities?”

The emergence of Juneteenth into the national conversation allows us to learn more about a tradition that has come out of struggle. We can better understand ourselves in the context of history, and we can share in the joy of other Americans and honor their traditions.

Similar to July Fourth, many Black people view Juneteenth as their Independence Day. There may not always be fireworks on June 19, but there will be a celebration.

Yolande Clark-Jackson is a writer and educator based in South Florida. You can follow her on Twitter @YClarkjackson and find more of her work at yolandeclarkjackson.com.

This story has been updated to reflect the expanding number of states that legally observe Juneteenth. It was first published in 2021 and updated in 2024.