Juneteenth (June 19th), also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
What is Juneteenth?
While President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation officially ended slavery
on January 1, 1863, it took over two years for the news to reach all parts of the country.
It wasn't until June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston,
Texas, that enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, marking the last
Confederate state to receive the proclamation's announcement.
Juneteenth holds special significance in Texas, where it was first celebrated in 1866 and
later recognized as an official state holiday in 1980. Since then, Juneteenth has gained
recognition nationwide, with all 50 states and the District of Columbia passing
legislation to honor this important day. Most recently, on June 17, 2021, President
Biden signed a bill into law, designating Juneteenth as the 11th federal holiday.
Want to learn more?
Check out the resources below to explore special celebrations of Black history and Black culture erupting across the Philadelphia region to commemorate Juneteenth.
