Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of Black Americans from slavery on June 19, 1865, and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
After the Civil War came to a close in the spring of 1865, Union General Gordon Grainger finally arrived at Galveston, Texas with 2,000 Union troops to establish the Union Army's authority over the people of Texas. There, he issued an order freeing the more than 250,000 black slaves in the state. Even so, freedom did not happen immediate and many black slaves remained unfree for weeks and months as the emancipation news spread accross the state.
It important to note that this new freedom for enslaved black Texans arrived more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law in January of 1863. It also was not until December1865 that slavery in America was formally abolished with the radification of the 13th Amendment.
Looking for ways to celebrate and learn this Juneteenth? Below are events taking place throughout Cook County. Check them out!
Hidden Stories of the North Shore Juneteenth Community Walk - June 19 at 9 a.m.
The DuSable Museum of African American History Reopening Celebration - June 19 at 11 a.m.
Evanston's Annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebrations - June 19 at 11 a.m.
FreedomRideBronzeville - June 19 at 12 p.m.
St. James Catholic Church JUNETEENTH Prayer & Witness Service - June 19 at 10 a.m.