Juneteenth is celebrated because, on June 19, 1865, the Union Army informed people in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved people were now free. Based on the date Trump decided to hold his first rally, especially in light of the recent protests taking place worldwide fighting against police brutality against black people and racial injustice, people have been critical of Trump for planning his return on that date.
In a perceived slap in the face to black people, the rally was also scheduled to take place 99 years after the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 where, in May of 1921, black citizens in Tulsa were massacred at the hands of white mobs in what was known as The Black Wall Street.
The president took to Twitter to announce the rescheduled date:
The Republican Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, has also released a statement regarding the changing of the date of the rally. “I am thankful President Trump recognizes the significance of June 19 and has chosen to move his campaign rally out of respect to Oklahomans and the important Juneteenth celebrations.”