What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth marks an effective end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
What should I do now?
Now that we know a little more about this important date in our country’s history – what’s next? A powerful way to learn more and to engage in a community different than your own is to hear from others. Here are a few resources to start:
