Juneteenth: Understanding the Past, Embracing the Future

On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Union Army General Gordon Granger and his federal troops arrived in Galvenston, Texas, telling the enslaved people that they were now free, and sharing the news that the Civil War was over. The annual celebration of Junteenth as a holiday began that day.

Today, Junteenth is a celebration of the journey and freedom of Black and African American people in the United States. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge their many contributions to American culture as well as the ongoing struggle for black freedom and equality.

Learn more below about the history, the significance, and cultural importance of this day. See how you can support and be a part of this celebration. Together, we can honor our past and shape an inclusive future.