Juneteenth, Day of Freedom
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on the 19th of June to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. It’s the oldest known celebration of African American Freedom. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Learn about the history and importance of this holiday by watching this discussion with Smithsonian historian Kelly Navies.
Join Us
Stop by our booth for the MJC Umoja Program at the Graceada Park Juneteenth Celebration. June 18th, 11am-4pm