Today’s Big Story

Juneteenth Is Tomorrow

Also known as, America’s “second Independence Day”

Less than five years old, Juneteenth is America’s newest federal holiday. And like most federal holidays, you can expect your local banks and nonessential federal offices to be closed in observance of the day. That goes for the post office, too, so make sure you plan ahead if you need anything.

I’m sure you know, by now, about Juneteenth—it was 160 years ago that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed—after the Civil War’s end and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The resulting Juneteenth holiday—its name combining “June” and “nineteenth”—went relatively unnoticed by mainstream America for years. It rose in prominence following the sweeping protests against racial injustice in the summer of 2020, when dozens of corporations moved to give their employees the day off. In 2021, President Biden and Congress designated it a federal holiday. It was the first to be approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

What began as an informal celebration of freedom by locals in Galveston eventually grew into a wider commemoration of the end of slavery as African Americans in Texas moved to other parts of the country. Today, many African Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, parades and gatherings with family and friends.

This year will be the first under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI, in the federal government. According to ABC News, this includes removing Black American history content from federal websites. Trump officials have also discouraged some federal agencies from recognizing other racial heritage celebrations. The Associated Press reports that many celebrations have been scaled back this year due to funding shortfalls as companies and municipalities across the country reconsider their support for DEI initiatives.

Some parents might feel hesitant to explain the holiday to their children because it involves the discussion of sensitive topics like race and slavery. But Juneteenth holds great significance, like a lot of other national holidays celebrated in the United States. And there are ways to make talking about it a little easier.

Trump Publicly Debates Bombing Iran

The president threatens Iran’s supreme leader, escalating his rhetoric about the conflict

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran on Tuesday—in what’s being called ”one of the most monumental decisions of his presidency”—as he debated whether to join a war against Iran that risked pulling the U.S. into a new Middle Eastern conflict. In a string of social media posts, the president said that the United States has “complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” warned Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameini that he was an “easy target,” and demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” without defining what that would mean.

Senate leaders are currently avoiding direct answers on whether Trump needs approval from Congress before taking any military action against Iran. Axios reports that Congress is reluctant to second-guess the commander-in-chief before he actually authorizes strikes. But Democrats have a visceral distrust of Trump, and a growing GOP faction is deeply suspicious of foreign military interventions.

On Tuesday, Trump suggested that Iran would cross a red line if it attacked U.S. assets in the Middle East. "We don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin," Trump said. Of course, he has long been known for his "America First" ethos and non-interventionist stance, campaigning to disentangle the United States from foreign wars. As Israel's strikes on Iran have intensified, some of his prominent supporters are urging him not to get involved in the conflict.

Who Do You Trust?

For the first time, social media overtakes TV as Americans’ top news source

You’re lucky. You have a dedicated newsletter (the one you’re reading now), delivering you well-curated and trustworthy news to know. But those who don’t subscribe? Well, they’re out in the Wild West. And whether by choice or by default, social media has overtaken TV as the primary source of news for Americans, according to a report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

The study surveyed 100,000 news consumers across 48 countries to understand their preferences, and in a not-so-shocking revelation about the American audience, it found that 54% of people got their news from social media, while 48% got theirs from traditional TV networks. The numbers are starkly different from those of 2013, when 72% preferred TV, and 27% preferred social media. The shift is primarily driven by younger audiences; 48% of people above the age of 55 still obtain their news from TV.

The Nieman Lab reports that “these creators are also attracting audiences that traditional media struggle to reach.” Some of the most popular personalities over-index with young men, with right-leaning audiences, and with those that have low levels of trust in mainstream media outlets, seeing them as biased or part of a liberal elite.

America Is in Its Peak Pickle Era

It seems to be all brine, all the time

I love pickles. And if you’re like me, the type who asks someone with longing in your eyes, “Are you going to eat your pickle?”… chances are you’re quite pleased with the current state of the American snacks. The pickle-flavored trend, wherein everyday snacks like nuts, chips, and snack puffs get pickle-fied with the addition of dill, garlic, vinegar, and other seasonings, has reached a mind-boggling apex.

These days, there’s truly a pickle for every taste and occasion: You can find pickle-flavored beer and pickle spritzes if you like to drink your pickles. The obsession has even made its way to television. In a recent episode of Top Chef Season 22, the contestants had to create dishes highlighting the humble pickle for the elimination challenge, resulting in dishes like pickle-brined scallops and an innovative pickle dessert.

Cheetos said that a “Flamin’ Hot” dill variety was their most requested flavor and a test-run was so popular, they’re bringing it back. Sonic is all-in, too, with a purely pickle combo meal that includes a collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles (and a “Picklerita Slush” beverage). But they can’t all be winners.

Seeking Impartial News? Meet 1440.

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!

Don’t keep it to yourself.