Juneteenth

Explore Our Online Exhibits

Joshua Glover Plaque
Some Exhibits to Come – Three Centuries Of Enslavement
Harriet Tubman, "The Conductor," with fugitive slaves in Underground Railroad station
Bibliography – Three Centuries of Enslavement
Slave Auction Poster
A 1859 Slave Auction in Savannah, as Reported by the New York Tribune
slaves in cotton field
How Slavery Became the Law of the Land “For Blacks Only”
FredDouglass w:firewks
Frederick Douglass: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”
The Scourged Back: This slave named Gordon ran for 80 miles to join the Union Forces in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in March 1863. This famous photo of the welts on his badly "scourged back" was taken while he was being fitted for a uniform.
The Scourged Back: How Runaway Slave and Soldier Private Gordon Changed History
"Contrabands": During the Civil War, thousands of slaves escaped their owners in the South by getting to Union Army camps. Thus freed, many continued on to settle in the North.
The Freedmen of Wisconsin
This woodcut, published in 1831 with a story about the Southampton Rebellion, was titled "Horrific Massacre in Virginia."
Nat Turner’s Rebellion: Horrific or Heroic?
Map of the world showing which countries that traffic in humans to the U.S.; map shows how individual countries comply with anti-trafficking laws. The Kansas City Star 2009<p> With BC-TRAFFICKING:KC, Kansas City Star by Mark Morris<p> 02000000; 08000000; 09000000; CLJ; HUM; krtcrime crime; krtfeatures features; krthumaninterest human interest; krtlabor labor; krtnational national; krtworld world; LAB; krt; mctgraphic; 02001000; 02001007; 02011000; CRI; international law; kidnapping kidnaping kidnap; krtlaw law; 04018000; FIN; ODD; african american african-american black; hispanic; krtdiversity diversity; woman women; youth; eames; human; map; morris; prostitution; slave; slavery; smuggle; smuggled; smuggling; trafficking; victim; kc contributed; 2009; krt2009
Traces of the Trade: The North’s Complicity in Slavery
A man stands in front of the Djingareyber mosque on February 4, 2016 in Timbuktu, central Mali. Mali's fabled city of Timbuktu on February 4 celebrated the recovery of its historic mausoleums, destroyed during an Islamist takeover of northern Mali in 2012 and rebuilt thanks to UN cultural agency UNESCO. TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SEBASTIEN RIEUSSEC / AFP / SÉBASTIEN RIEUSSEC
African Peoples Before Captivity
Shackles from Slave Ship Henrietta Marie
Kidnapped: The Middle Passage

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June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, is a day that recognizes the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform slaveholders that they must legally those people who remained enslaved. This threat of force against the holdouts successfully ensured that the city’s remaining slaves, many of whom were already aware of slavery’s end but lacked the power to stand up to their slavers, were freed. Juneteenth has become an important day to many Black Americans and allies in the fight against racism.

Below you’ll find articles and exhibits about Juneteenth, which will automatically update as we add new stories about Juneteenth. As you scroll through these pages, you’ll understand the day’s history, efforts to increase awareness, the fight for it to be recognized as a holiday, and current events celebrating the day and its meaning.

ABHM Presents: JUNETEENTH

May 24, 2024
Juneteenth at ABHM

Celebrate Juneteenth at America Black Holocaust Museum with a week of inspiring festivities from June 18th through the 22nd!

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Juneteenth Food Festival!

May 27, 2024

Join Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, June 15, from 11 am – 8 pm for this vibrant celebration of Black food, culture and community with 40+ food vendors and artisans. We’ll also have performances, art-making projects, wellness activities and more!

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Shine a Light: Biden’s Juneteenth Concert Targets Black Voters

June 12, 2024
Joe Biden

President Biden was quick to appeal to Black voters at a celebration of the day his administration made a national holiday.

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2024 Juneteenth Celebration

June 14, 2024
Beloit Juneteenth Celebration

YWCA Rock County, committed to ending racism and developing gender empowerment, has supported peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all for over a century. Through engaging discussions, community initiatives, and educational programs, it has made a lasting impact on issues of race, privilege, and human rights. The organization is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration event with the Elite Ladies of Beloit on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 12pm-8pm. The day will be filled with cultural experiences, friendship, and opportunities for learning. Attendees can enjoy food, music, and support local vendors during the event, making it a festive atmosphere.

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Wausau Community Event: Juneteenth

June 14, 2024
Wausau Juneteenth

Come celebrate the history and strength of the Black community at Wausau’s very own Whitewater Music Hall. There will be food, drinks, music, and speakers. Everyone is welcome!

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La Crosse Juneteenth

June 14, 2024
La Crosse Juneteenth

Juneteenth Funfair with free food and youth activities from 12 to 7pm. Showing The Color Purple at 4pm and 7:30pm. Live performances from Sunbeats and MADD 414 African Drum and Dance Team

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2024 Sun Prairie Juneteenth Celebration

June 14, 2024
Sun Prairie Juneteenth

Event will feature Juneteenth educational activities/speakers, performances, a resource fair, and family activities including athletic activities. DJ M White will be spinning the soundtrack for the Sun Prairie Juneteenth Celebration!

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The Burlesque Storytelling Of {We’re The Color Purple} Juneteenth Show

June 14, 2024
The Burlesque Storytelling Of {We're The Color Purple} Juneteenth Show

We’re The Color Purple {A Burlesque Musical} Join us for a spectacular evening of burlesque and music at the Crucible in Madison, WI, USA! Get ready to be mesmerized by a colorful and dazzling performance that combines the magic of The Color Purple with the sensuality of burlesque. This in-person event will transport you to a world of glamour and excitement as talented performers bring the beloved musical to life in a whole new way. Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience!

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2024 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

June 14, 2024
Racine Juneteenth 2024

Basketball games, kids activities, food and more.

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2024 Milwaukee Juneteenth Gospel Festival

June 14, 2024
Milwaukee Juneteenth Gospel

It’s going to be a day of faith, freedom and fellowship! There will be food and product vendors, resource information, health screening, face painting, balloon twisters, astounding sounds from Milwaukee’s best gospel groups and choirs featuring W.C. Calloway Jr. and Milwaukee Mass Juneteenth Edition Choir. Don’t miss it!

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