Every year on June 19, the United States observes Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, and Black Independence Day. This day is an annual time of remembrance honoring when enslaved Black people in Galveston Bay, Texas, were informed of their emancipation in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Juneteenth’s status as a nationally recognized holiday is due in part to the efforts of Opal Lee, who brought attention to the importance of Juneteenth by organizing a 1,400 mile walk from Texas to Washington D.C.
Throughout the United States, cities and towns honor Juneteenth with festivals, gatherings, and opportunities to learn more about the history of people who were enslaved. Juneteenth is a celebration of Black culture as well as an important time to reflect on our collective history. How we engage with our past will shape our future.
Explore the events and resources below to learn more about Juneteenth.
EVENTS
Boston
Visit MeetBoston for a range of events throughout Boston, including art exhibits, festivals, film screenings, and the Juneteenth Celebration at Franklin Park.
Boston: Embrace Ideas Festival, June 18-20
The annual Embrace Ideas Festival serves as a vibrant monument to Juneteenth, celebrating the impactful legacy and contributions of Black Bostonians, featuring scholarly keynotes, culinary artists, and arts activations. Learn more and get tickets.
Boston: MFA Boston Open House, June 19
Tickets available in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free with a valid Massachusetts zip code.
Visit for presentations, art-making activities, and the special exhibit featuring the work of a Roxbury resident and artist, “Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson.”
Learn more and get info on hours.
Los Angeles
Visit Discover Los Angeles for a range of events across LA, including exhibits at the California African American Museum, improv, bike rides, storytelling, and outdoor movies.
CAAM: “Repossessions” On Exhibit and June 19 Event
Celebrate Juneteenth at the California African American Museum (CAAM) and explore Repossessions, a group exhibition inspired by the concept of reparations: the effort to repair the economic and psychological devastation caused by slavery for descendants of enslaved African Americans.
On June 19, CAAM will feature the special event Repossessions and Reparations, which includes a curator-led tour and panel discussion.
LEARN MORE
National Museum of African American History
Learn more about Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History & Culture (Smithsonian).
