Reframing America’s Founding: 1619, 1776, and the Journey Toward True Liberty
When we think of America’s beginning, most people instinctively point to 1776—the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, sparking a revolution against British rule. This date has been etched into American culture as the nation’s starting point, representing the birth of liberty and democracy. But is this narrative complete? If we delve deeper into the complex and intertwined history of freedom and oppression in America, we see that 1619—the year the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown—holds the true foundation of what America has become. By reframing our history to recognize 1619 as its origin, we engage in a more honest reckoning with our past, and we set the stage for a more inclusive future. And when we consider the importance of Juneteenth, it becomes clear that the full promise of liberty wasn’t realized until long after 1776, revealing a nation still striving toward its ideals.
The Economic Reality: America’s Wealth Built on Enslavement
To understand why 1619 should be considered America’s founding date, we must examine the role slavery played in building the nation’s wealth. The forced arrival of enslaved Africans didn’t just introduce labor; it created an economic system that fueled America’s growth for centuries. As historian Eric Foner highlights, the American economy—especially in the South—was built on the backs of these enslaved people who cultivated tobacco, cotton, and sugar. Cotton, often called “white gold,” became the most valuable export by the 19th century, with profits reaching nearly $200 million annually by 1860. These weren’t just crops; they were the lifeblood of America’s early economy, turning colonies into profitable ventures that attracted settlers and investors.
When we ignore 1619 in favor of 1776, we celebrate the fruits of a tree without acknowledging its roots. Recognizing 1619 forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: America’s prosperity was built on the exploitation of Black bodies. This truth reverberates through modern economic disparities, such as the racial wealth gap, and the consequences of systemic policies like redlining, which denied Black families the opportunity to build generational wealth through home ownership. These inequalities are not distant relics; they are living legacies that continue to shape American society. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder that liberty wasn’t extended to those who made these economic achievements possible until almost a century after America’s so-called “birth of liberty.”
The True Identity of America: Liberty and Contradiction
If we only highlight 1776, we overlook the full scope of what America has always been—a land of both liberty and contradiction. The Declaration of Independence was a bold statement for freedom, but it left many people out. Enslaved Africans, Indigenous communities, and women were excluded from the vision of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The idea of America was one of freedom, but the reality was selective liberty. By recognizing 1619 as the country’s founding, we acknowledge that America’s identity has always been complex. It forces us to reconcile the ideals we celebrate with the injustices we often ignore.
Juneteenth, marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom in 1865, offers a stark reminder that the liberty promised in 1776 was incomplete and unevenly applied. The delayed spread of emancipation news reveals how freedom was rationed and controlled, illustrating the power dynamics that have long shaped the American experience. By incorporating both 1619 and Juneteenth into America’s story, we create a fuller, more inclusive picture of the nation—a country striving for freedom while grappling with deeply embedded inequalities. We see America as a work in progress, a nation that has not yet fully lived up to its ideals but continues the journey.
Engaging Counterarguments: Integrating 1619, 1776, and Juneteenth
Some argue that emphasizing 1619 as America’s founding date diminishes the revolutionary ideals of 1776 or undermines the unifying narrative of liberty and democracy. However, this is not about erasing 1776; it’s about integrating these key moments to provide a comprehensive narrative. By embracing 1619, we recognize that the struggle for freedom didn’t begin with the signing of a declaration but with the arrival of those who were denied it. Juneteenth then becomes a powerful reminder that even after 1776, the fight for freedom continued for another century before the promise of liberty reached all Americans.
This shift doesn’t weaken America’s identity; it strengthens it by acknowledging the perseverance and resilience of marginalized communities who fought to claim the promises embedded in the nation’s founding documents. It’s not about removing one date or favoring another—it’s about weaving together the tapestry of America’s complex history, one that includes 1619, 1776, and Juneteenth. Each date holds significance, showing how liberty has always been a work in progress—a tree whose roots, branches, and leaves are intertwined, each essential for understanding the whole.
Education and Awareness: A Path Toward Reconciliation
Choosing 1619 and integrating Juneteenth isn’t just about historical accuracy; it’s a step toward national reconciliation. When we embrace these dates, we open new ways of understanding America’s story—ways that include the voices of enslaved people, Indigenous populations, and other marginalized groups who have been critical in shaping the nation’s history. It’s not about erasing 1776; it’s about weaving these moments together for a more honest narrative.
Our education system plays a crucial role in this reframing. Programs like “The 1619 Project” have already started to highlight these realities. Expanding curriculums to include the economic reliance on slavery, the systemic racism that shaped policies like Jim Crow and redlining, and the importance of Juneteenth as a milestone of liberty would provide students with a more nuanced understanding of America’s history. By studying these early inequalities and the long fight for freedom, students learn to engage critically with how these injustices still impact society today. This fosters a generation better equipped to work toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
Policy Implications: Building a More Inclusive Future
Adopting 1619 as the true origin, and incorporating Juneteenth as the true milestone of liberty, isn’t just about reframing the past; it’s about influencing the present and future. This recognition can serve as a catalyst for policy changes that address historical and systemic inequalities. It provides a powerful argument for reparations, aiming to redress the economic injustices rooted in centuries of slavery. It also sets a foundation for criminal justice reform initiatives targeting mass incarceration—a system disproportionately affecting Black communities.
But this shift goes beyond policy; it reshapes our collective identity. Acknowledging the realities of 1619 and Juneteenth allows America to own its full story, not just the sanitized version. It transforms the American narrative from one of simple revolution to one of complex evolution, showing that this nation has always been about striving for something better, even when it falls short. It invites all Americans to engage with history as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed myth—a journey that requires growth and reckoning.
Conclusion
Establishing 1619 as the true founding date of America, and recognizing Juneteenth as the date liberty was extended to all, is not about diminishing the importance of 1776. It’s about creating a fuller, more honest version of our national story. It’s about recognizing that the fight for freedom and justice didn’t start or end with the signing of a declaration—it’s a journey that began with the arrival of those who were denied freedom and continued until their descendants could claim it.
By shifting the narrative, we create a path that doesn’t just celebrate independence but also acknowledges the ongoing struggle for equality. It’s a challenge to every American to engage with our history, understand its complexities, and work toward a future that truly embodies the ideals we claim to cherish. If America is to live up to its promise, it must start by owning its full history. Establishing 1619 as the country’s founding date and celebrating Juneteenth as a milestone of liberty are necessary steps toward becoming the nation we aspire to be—a nation of freedom, justice, and equality for all.
nathaniel Steele
NathanielSteeleWrites.com