What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday passed by Congress on June 16, 2021 and signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day, Juneteenth is the oldest celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. 

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free African-American slaves in Confederate states. However, the enslaved people in Texas were not aware of their freedom at that time. It would take two and half years before Texas slaves would learn of their freedom.  On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with General Order No. 3 that proclaimed all Texas slaves were FREE!

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country with rodeos, festivals, barbecues, parades and more. We are proud to celebrate our African-American culture, freedom and achievements since 1865.

Join us across the country as we come together and create new bonds of friendship, hope and unity while honoring and preserving our roots that came before us.

Juneteenth Featured Events

All events for the 2022 National Junteenth Virtual Heritage Festival will be live streamed for FREE,
excluding the Stedman Graham Lecture Series.