Juneteenth Celebration
June 19th is Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today. Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self-improvement. Thus, often guest speakers are brought in and the elders are called upon to recount the events of the past. Prayer services were also a major part of these celebrations. If you would like to learn more about Juneteenth or attend any virtual events, we have provided resources. Attached is a list of virtual events in honor of Juneteenth.
Here are some short videos giving the history of Juneteenth:
