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. — History.com

In 2012, Alabama became the 40th state to observe Juneteenth through the passage of legislation sponsored by State Sen. Hank Sanders. Juneteenth, or June 19, was first recognized by Congress as Juneteenth Independence Day in 1997.

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Celebrations

Campus 

The UA Black Faculty and Staff Association will have a virtual Juneteenth observance on June 10 and June 14 on Facebook Live. Presenters will be Dr. Reynaldo Anderson, who will give a presentation on Re-Envisioning Freedom through Afro-futurism; Dr. Cynthia Gooch Grayson, who will present Juneteenth & Genealogy: The Exploration of the Black Family; Marvin E. Adams, UA student poet; and Opal Lee, Juneteenth activist and advocate who was instrumental in getting Juneteenth recognized in 47 States. For more information, visit the BFSA event page on Facebook.

Tuscaloosa/Northport

A free celebration featuring food, music and vendors is planned for Saturday, June 19, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Snow Hinton Park. More information is available on Facebook.

Another celebration is planned for Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. at Kentuck Park. Free food, bounce houses, games and activities. See more information on Facebook.

Central Alabama

Several Juneteenth celebrations are planned for locations throughout Alabama, including Birmingham, Bessemer, Fairfield and Selma. Read more those events and see what’s happening in Hunstville.

The Southeast

If you’re traveling to nearby states in mid-June, you might check out these events throughout Georgia and in Starkville, Louisville, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Also, the Louisiana Juneteenth Association will host the Madam CJ Walker Juneteenth Celebration, which includes a parade and music festival, June 18-20, and other events will be held throughout the state. In Tennessee and Florida, several events also are scheduled.

National

The Juneteenth Foundation, a 501(C)3 organization founded by professionals championing the celebration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, will host its virtual Freedom Festival, which includes panel discussions, a career fair and a concert the weekend of June 18-19.