In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

On paper, it freed more than three million slaves, but it took more than two years for the news to reach African Americans in Texas. 

What You Need To Know


  • The June 19 holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

  • Efforts to make Juneteenth a national holiday have stalled in Congress.

  • Today, many African Americans celebrate Juneteenth with picnics, family gatherings, and religious services.

  • Governor Cuomo signs executive order making Juneteenth a holiday for state employees.

They got the word when union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas. He delivered the news; the War had ended.

 

 

Slaves were now free. The date was June 19th 1865. It marked the official end to slavery.

Former slaves celebrated with prayer, food, song, and dance. The celebration became what is now Juneteenth.

"So there is also kind of an interesting part of Juneteenth where it is celebrating freedom, but it's also kind of a little bit commenting on the delayed nature of that announcement, “ said Kevin Young, the director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

 

 

 

Today, many African Americans commemorate Juneteenth with picnics, family gatherings, religious services and educational events.

Because of the pandemic, the Schomburg Center is marking the day virtually, including a reading list for young readers and books for adults to read to children.

"I hope, in that spirit of Juneteenth, that young people realize they are not alone. That this is a continuum, there is a long history of struggle and freedom and the freedom struggle itself is centuries in the making,” said Young.

Because of the protests seeking justice for the death of George Floyd, there is heightened interest in this Juneteenth. Dozens of marches and events will take place across the city. Tiffany Rea-Fisher is helping to organize a march near City Hall. 

"This is a very hopeful holiday. It's not an anti -anything holiday. It's a pro-everything holiday. I want people to come out and see that they are not alone, that they are supported,“ said Rea-Fisher.

Organizers of these events say what has happened over the past few weeks is a reminder that the fight for freedom and equality, which began hundreds of years ago, in many ways continues today.

"I think that's what Juneteenth also tells us. Freedom already exists. Why haven't fully inhabited it yet, “said Young.

Here is a list of some of the events taking place on Juneteeth, Friday, June 19th.

MANHATTAN: 

  • 10:00AM- JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth event in Washington Square Park
  • 12:00PM -The December 12th Movement holds rally demanding the defunding of the NYPD. 
  • 1:00PM- JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth March calling for defunding of NYPD (start: Cooper Sq /End: City Hall) 
  • 1:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth wellness walk for Justice & Yoga. 
  • 2:00PM- Juneteenth March NYC where people will march to and converge at City Hall in celebration of the end of slavery. 

 

BROOKLYN: 

  • 12:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth vigil & march at Brooklyn Museum steps End at Cadman Plaza 
  • 2:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth When Mother's Cry Peaceful Protest.:Nostrand Ave & Farragut Rd, End at Barclays Center
  • 3:30PM- JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth A Mother's Cry March /peaceful protest. Eastern Pkwy/Utica Ave End at Barclays Center 
  • 4:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth march in memory for Breonna Taylor,  Tony McDade & others.Tillary St & Boerum Place/Brooklyn Bridge 
  • 4:00PM- JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth march & celebration at Irving Square Park
  • 6:30PM -JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth Black Souls remembrance at Prospect Park

 

QUEENS: 

 

  • 12:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth Queens caravan traveling to 103rd, 113 Police Precincts & Nassau County PD 
  • 1:00PM-JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth March in Jackson Heights - starting in Jackson Heights & ending at Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park 
  • 1:00PM-JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth march in Jamaica starting at the civil court 
  • 3:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth Queens prayerful march/rally against racism and police brutality 
  • 4:00PM-JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth rally in Flushing Meadows Park

 

BRONX:

 

  • 3:00PM - JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth Black Lives Matter protest at Soundview Park

 

STATEN ISLAND: 

 

  • 2:00PM- JusticeforGeorgeNYC: Juneteenth peaceful picnic at Clove Lakes Park 

 

Other Resources:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

 

Juneteenth.com