Juneteenth, Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Second Independence Day, and Freedom Day are all names for the newest federally recognized holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the day all Black Americans were informed of their freedom from slavery.
While President Lincoln declared their freedom in 1863, it took nearly two whole years for the news to travel throughout the US, and finally to Galveston, Texas where 250,000 African Americans remained enslaved. So, while slavery was technically abolished in 1863, many remained enslaved so there was nothing to celebrate.
That’s a long time for word to travel, isn’t it? Well, yes and no.
News made its way to Texas slave owners far earlier, they just refused to give up free labor and tried to hold out for as long as they could; it was easy to do without anyone to stop them. Once the Union gathered up enough soldiers Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger led them to Texas to announce the war was over and they were finally free! This was on June 19th, 1865 – hence Juneteenth.
Now, there was finally something to celebrate
To find a celebration near you check out this list of events, or go visit and support a Black business, and don’t forget to wish your friends and coworkers a “Happy Juneteenth!”
Events
Detroit
June 18: Juneteenth Freedom Fest, 12pm-6pm. at Easter Market Shed 5.
June 19:Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 10am-5pm
Freedom Day Celebraition at Capitol Park, complete with face-painting, photos, giveaways, a D.J., African Drumming, dance lessons and poetry; 12pm-8pm.
Juneteenth Music Festival 5:30pm-10pm
Juneteenth Festival at Wayne State’s Keast Commons; 12pm-5pm
Juneteenth at the Detroit Historical Society; 1pm-4pm. and 6pm-8pm
Juneteenth on the Cut with live music, vendors and food trucks; 2pm-7pm on the Dequindre Cut.
3rd Annual Juneteenth Unity Classic Softball Game, with elected officials & local celebrities; Detroit PAL Corner Ball Park, doors at 12pm., game starts at 2pm
Farmington Hills
June 19:Juneteenth Perfomance featuring Mollywop James, free concert; The Hawk at 6pm.
Harper Woods
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration at Wayne County Community College, 1-4pm
Muskegon
June 19: Juneteenth Parade along Western Avenue 11am-4pm
Oak Park
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration at Oak Park City Hall, 4pm.
Oakland County
June 19: Free Entry Day at all Oakland County Parks
Royal Oak
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration at Centennial Commons Park; 3pm
Southfield
June 18: Southfield Historical Society Profiles in Freedom
June 22: Pearls of Service Foundation Juneteenth Breakfast;
Juneteenth Open Mic Event; 1pm-4pm. at Southfield Public Library
West Bloomfield Township
June 19: Juneteenth Jamboree, Civic Center Campus; 10am- 2pm
Westland
June 22: Juneteenth Heritage Day at Nankin Mills Park, 12pm-4pm
Ypsilanti
June 21-23:Juneteenth Celebration in Downtown Ypsilanti