Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. On that day, Union troops arrived to enforce the proclamation and ensure the liberation of the last remaining enslaved people in the United States.

Over time, Juneteenth became a celebration of African American freedom, resilience, culture, and achievement. It is widely recognized as the longest-running African American holiday and was designated a federal holiday in 2021.

Kanabec SWCD recognizes Juneteenth as a day to reflect on the end of slavery in the United States and to honor the resilience and contributions of Black Americans.

Juneteenth | National Museum of African American History & Culture