What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (combo of June + Nineteenth), is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War, has been celebrated since the late 1800s.

On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.

The holiday is also called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.” In 2021, it was made a federal holiday and now is celebrated across the United States, including all over Michigan!

Where/How Can I Celebrate this Weekend?

If you’re located in Metro Detroit area, there are lot of family-friendly events to help you celebrate and learn. There is a comprehensive list on this article from Hour Detroit magazine.

If you’re based in Lansing, this website links to information about the Juneteenth Parade being held on Saturday, June 17 at 11am, as well as various events around town: https://www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org/

In the Grand Rapids area, this article lists celebrations and parade happening around town, check out this page from Experience GR:  https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/juneteenth/