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 honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.
To learn more about the history behind this holiday celebrating the end of slavery, watch this video about What is Juneteenth?
We also invite you to join in the celebration at the Cooper Family Foundation’s Juneteenth Healing the Community Festival that will take place on Saturday, June 18th, from 11 am to 6:30 pm at Memorial Park. The event is free and features a great educational program, cultural performances, gospel music, food truck vendors, and more. This year’s fantastic headliner is CON FUNK SHUN! Bring your tents and chairs to the park to enjoy the festivities.
For those who can’t attend in person, CFF will also broadcast the event via Facebook Live.
