Juneteenth

The date known as Juneteenth marks the day of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. He informed the enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. Texas was the last Confederate state where the federal Army re-established its authority, so word of the Civil War’s end -- and slavery’s abolition -- had taken months to arrive. (Sources: Wikipedia.org and Bloomberg.com)

On June 16, 2021, the U.S. Senate and House passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The bill was signed by the president on June 17 and now is the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

Juneteenth Exhibits and Events

National Museum of African-American History and Culture

This virtual-only exhibit is a "don't miss!" The Smithsonian knocks it out of the park with programming, history, legacy, heritage, community and celebration of resilience for Juneteenth. Visit the NMAAHC site.

2024 Juneteenth Events

Joplin

June 15: EastTown Dreams District presents Joplin Juneteenth Heritage Run

June 16: SoulFood Sunday

Kansas City 

JuneteenthKC 2024 Heritage Festival ‘The Resistance’ 18th and Vine

Juneteenth Overland Park Celebration