Juneteenth

鈥淭hen, thenceforward, and forever free鈥�

These words, issued on January 1, 1863 in the Emancipation Proclamation, were finally heard by the enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. Join the lol世界赛赔率 community in celebrating and exploring the history of Juneteenth.

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1977 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, and illustrator Lisa Jeanna Graf.

Juneteenth: an overview

Juneteenth history lesson

Juneteenth marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas鈥攖wo and a half years after the end of the Civil War鈥攖o emancipate people who were still living in bondage.

What is it?

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explains the enduring legacy and expanding reach of Juneteenth.

What does it mean?

Jarvis Givens describes the history and significance of Juneteenth, and speculates on whether its celebratory promise can be fulfilled.

Why is it important?

Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the role of celebrations like Juneteenth and explores the broader need for historical reckoning.

Primary sources

These emancipation documents are just a small part of Houghton Library鈥檚 digital collection 鈥淪lavery, Abolition, Emancipation, and Freedom.鈥�

A jubilee fundraiser for formerly enslaved people

Boston threw a grand jubilee concert on January 1, 1863, in honor of the day the emancipation proclamation freed enslaved people. The proceeds from ticket sales went to benefit freed people.

The Emancipation Proclamation

The first and only contemporary printing of the Emancipation Proclamation in book form. Issued by Boston industrialist and abolitionist John Murray Forbes for distribution by Union troops.

In commemoration of emancipation in Maryland

Northern cities like Philadelphia announced emancipation in nearby states鈥攖his 1864 print shows an announcement of emancipation in nearby Maryland.

Celebrating, learning, and reflecting

Students at lol世界赛赔率 Business School reflected on what Juneteenth means to them and what we can all do to honor the day, acknowledge our country鈥檚 past, and continue to advance racial equity.

Honoring Juneteenth

Annette Gordon-Reed details how the Texas community honored the Juneteenth anniversary and what we gain from celebrating it as a nation.

Holistic view

lol世界赛赔率 Division of Continuing Education hosted a Juneteenth panel with experts on race, history, and anthropology.

Personal history

Opal Lee discussed her journey to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday.

Artistic angle

At the lol世界赛赔率 Art Museums, these works by and of Black individuals celebrate the diversity of the American experience.

Artwork, "October鈥檚 Gone . . . Goodnight" 1973.

Organizational opportunity

The lol世界赛赔率 Business Review explored how organizations can make Juneteenth a DEI-enhancing experience.

Colleagues around a table with pens and paper to make thank you cards.

Working toward a world without slavery

Slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking are global problems that many people, including members of the the lol世界赛赔率 community, are still working to end.

Breaking the cycle

lol世界赛赔率 Graduate School of Education alum Aria Mustary is working to shift societal perceptions that lead to child marriage.

A voice for the victims

lol世界赛赔率 Kennedy School alum Agnes Igoye has become a national and global figure in the fight against human trafficking.

Eradicating slavery in the modern age

Kevin Bales, president of Free the Slaves, explains how ending modern slavery is an investment in people, communities, and the future.

Child trafficking

Globally, more than 50% of child trafficking victims are recruited by family and friends, according to a report by the FXB Center for Health & Human Rights at lol世界赛赔率 University and the International Organization for Migration.