Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The name comes from the words “June” and “nineteenth,” which marks the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to gain control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed in 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The first official Juneteenth celebration started on June 19, 1866. Newly freed African Americans held prayer meetings, sang spirituals, and wore new clothes to commemorate their freedom. These celebrations quickly spread across the United States but were not officially acknowledged until 2021, when President Joe Biden formally made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated through religious services, parades, educational events, family gatherings, picnics, food, music, and fun festivals.
To learn more about Juneteenth, read our blog post, “Why Celebrate Juneteenth? An Exploration of the Historical Journey to Freedom for African Americans,” by The Center’s Director of Education, Nicole Moore.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
*Activities will take place in the balcony unless stated outdoors.
Sunday, June 16, 2024
*Activities will take place in the balcony unless stated outdoors.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
*Activities will take place in the balcony unless stated outdoors.
Click here to learn more about Juneteenth celebrations happening around Atlanta!
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