June 19 marks the anniversary of Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Declaration.
"Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas." (nmaahc.si.edu, opens a new window)
Juneteenth has long been commemorated as a celebration of freedom and hope. Now, it is honored as a state holiday in Washington, opens a new window and other states throughout the nation. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, opens a new window.
Learn more about and celebrate Juneteenth with these programs, events, and booklists.
Events and Programs
- Celebrating Juneteenth: Poetry - Silver Kite Online Workshops, opens a new window on June 19. An online program from Sno-Isle Libraries.
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Juneteenth Festival of Freedom 2021, opens a new window events take place throughout Snohomish County during the month of June.
- Black History in Snohomish County on June 14
- City of Lynnwood Juneteenth Celebration on June 18
- NAACP Snohomish County- Juneteenth Virtual Event: State of the Black Community on June 18
- Justice to Jubilee on June 19
- Juneteenth Week, opens a new window at the Northwest African American Museum.
- Freedom Calling, opens a new window virtual tour through the Slavery and Freedom exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Booklists
- Emancipation in the United States, opens a new window
- Juneteenth Stories for Kids, opens a new window
- Documentaries for Juneteenth, opens a new window
Streaming Films
- Juneteenth, opens a new window- a curated selection of streaming movies in Kanopy
