What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as “June Nineteenth,” holds a profound cultural significance within our community. It represents the moment when federal troops descended upon Galveston, Texas in 1865, seizing control of the state and proclaiming the liberation of all those ensnared in the chains of slavery. It is crucial to recognize that this momentous occasion transpired a staggering two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been inked.
Juneteenth stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of African Americans, serving as the oldest African American holiday to this day. Its formal recognition came with the adoption of the 13th Amendment in December 1865, finally shattering the chains of slavery nationwide. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress, struggle, and ongoing pursuit of racial justice and equality in America.
Jubilee Day
While many consider Jubilee Day and Juneteenth interchangeable, it’s important to recognize that without the former, our national holiday might not have gained the widespread recognition it has today. In 1865, freedmen in Texas initiated “Jubilee Day,” celebrations, held annually on June 19. These gatherings were rich with the tapestry of our heritage and featured music, barbecues, prayer services, and other joyful activities. As Black individuals migrated across the nation, Juneteenth became woven into our cultural fabric, it was a matter of tradition. Texas led the way by making it a state holiday in 1979, and in June 2021, Congress declared it a federal holiday. Now, on a national level, every June 19th, we honor our ancestors and celebrate the profound impact of our collective journey.
How is the Nation Celebrating?
Washington D.C.
While we all have different ways of celebrating Juneteenth, we want to shine a light on how various parts of the country are embracing the holiday. In 2025, the White House has not confirmed a Juneteenth concert yet. Nonetheless, the spirit of celebration remains strong across the capital. The Anacostia Community Museum will host a full-day event on June 21 featuring live music, yoga, and community art. The National Archives will display the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3 from June 19–22.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival was held at Piedmont Park on June 14–15. Since 2011, Atlanta has hosted this beloved tradition, a celebration that filled the streets and immersed attendees in the beauty of Black culture. Visitors enjoyed live music, vibrant vendors, and delicious cuisine, all within a festive, family-friendly environment. On June 14, the parade stepped off at 12 noon, featuring captivating floats, dance troupes, and marching bands that energized the crowd.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa Juneteenth is a community-funded festival held on historic Greenwood Avenue, also known as Black Wall Street. The 2025 theme is Family Reunion, and the celebration runs from June 12-22. Whether it’s a 5K run, fashion show, food, wellness sessions, or live music, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Galveston, Texas
If you are looking to go to where it all began, the birthplace of Juneteenth, then Galveston, Texas should be on your destination list. The city is filled with historic sites and offers immersive tours that celebrate this historic moment. Their annual Juneteenth Festival has many options, including:
- June 19 – Freedom, Fireworks & Family celebration
- June 21 – A Juneteenth Conversation with the family of George Floyd
- June 21 – Juneteenth Mini Lecture: Notable African Americans of Galveston
Brooklyn, New York
At the historic Weeksville Heritage Center, once one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America, the 4th Annual Juneteenth Food Festival will take place on June 19 from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. This vibrant celebration, co-hosted by Black-Owned Brooklyn, will feature over 29 Black-owned food vendors, live DJ sets including a performance by DJ Spinna, and family-friendly cultural performances. The event honors Juneteenth’s culinary legacy while celebrating Brooklyn’s diasporic foodways.
The National Juneteenth Museum
As we celebrate Juneteenth, we are celebrating the preservation of our past and the current global impact of our culture, yet there is still much to look forward to in the future. We can anticipate the grand opening of the National Juneteenth Museum. This institution will not only commemorate the historic journey of the formerly enslaved but also become a captivating destination for tourists and a space for collaborative education.
Dr. Opal Lee, a founding board member, is affectionately known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” She played a pivotal role in Juneteenth’s recognition in Texas 45 years ago, and in 2016, she made history once again by capturing national attention. At the age of 89, she embarked on a 1,400-mile trek from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., petitioning for the official recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday. Her visionary thinking stands as a key catalyst behind Juneteenth’s national recognition in 2021 and the establishment of the National Juneteenth Museum.
The museum will be in the Historic Southside neighborhood on the corner of Rosedale Street and Evans Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas and is expected to open in 2026. It will be an epicenter for the preservation of Juneteenth history and a space to foster transformative conversations.
If you want to embrace Dr. Lee’s revolutionary spirit, Opal’s Walk for Freedom, named in her honor, takes place on June 19 in Fort Worth, Texas, and Lee still plans to join the walk. The annual 2.5-mile walk symbolizes the time it took for news of freedom to reach the enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth is a time to uplift voices and stories within the community. A transformative experience may be closer than you think, so consider attending events near you. As we embrace the spirit of Juneteenth, let’s continue to honor our past, celebrate our present, and find joy in the bright future ahead.
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