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Juneteenth NYC

Juneteenth NYC celebrates when all members of our reunited nation were declared free on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, and three months after the U.S. Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.

African American Independence Day

In some ways, Juneteenth is African American Independence Day. It comes two weeks before American Independence Day on July 4. Our Declaration of Independence inspired change around the world, including the French and Haitian Revolutions, but at home we still struggle to make America for all Americans.

Juneteenth is about acknowledging our common heritage, both the good and the evil. There is a lot of both in our history. The evil part is sickening, but only has power when it is hidden. By embracing our past, all of it, we can reimagine a better future together, a more perfect union.

Something Changed in 2022

We’ve known about Juneteenth for more than 20 years, long before it entered the national conversation. We were surprised, but proud when it became a national holiday. Let’s not forget the lynching that inspired the national holiday. Really, if any Americans are afraid to walk American streets, are we really free? We can do better.

In 2022, we noticed a change in the concept. Juneteenth isn’t only celebrated by African Americans anymore. We invite all Americans to celebrate with us because the only way to make the American Dream real is together!

Happy Juneteenth!

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth NYC (Westock/Adobe)
Juneteenth NYC (Westock/Adobe)

Texas was originally a state of Mexico. Mexico had invited settlers to fill the land. The “Texicans” wanted to implement slavery, but that had been banned in Mexico since 1829. So the Texicans seceded as the Republic of Texas in 1836.

The Emancipation Proclamation ended legal slavery in the U.S. as of January 1, 1863, but that was during the U.S. Civil War (1860-1865) and Texas was one of the confederate traitors to the United States. As the war destroyed the confederate south, many plantation owners abandoned their land and fled to Texas.

The U.S. Civil War ended on April 9, 1865, but Texans continued to practice human slavery. Statements that the news didn’t reach Texas before the army are whitewashing. News of the confederate defeat reached Texas around April 20.

On June 19, 1865, the U.S. Army showed up in Galveston, Texas and declared that enslaved people were now free. Black Texans celebrated the first Juneteenth on June 19, 1866.

Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021. We hope it’s not just another day off. This celebration isn’t just about that day in 1865. It’s about much bigger things. We hope this national conversation is a day of coming together for all Americans.

Celebrate Juneteenth NYC!

African American NYC