Honoring Freedom, Culture and Community
Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, is a powerful day of reflection, celebration and continued learning. Recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.
A BRIEF HISTORY
This holiday marks the day Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to announce the freedom of enslaved people — making the Emancipation Proclamation a reality in the last Confederate state.
Though freedom had been declared in 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that all enslaved individuals in the U.S. were formally freed, and the legacy of that moment continues to shape American history.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. Originally observed with church services and community picnics, Juneteenth has grown into a nationwide celebration of Black culture, resilience and progress.
Juneteenth is a day to remember the injustices of the past, celebrate progress and continue advocating for equity. It reminds us of the work that remains and inspires us to build communities where all people can thrive.
