On January 1, 1863, the  Emancipation Proclamation - enacted by the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln - declared enslaved African American people “forever free.” Two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, General Order No. 3 (read in Galveston, Texas by Union Army general Gordon Granger) proclaimed freedom from slavery in Texas. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) honors the historical event in Galveston that marked the end of the civil war and the freedom of the enslaved African American people in the United States. Juneteenth is also known as “Freedom Day” and “Emancipation Day,” and it is considered the longest-running African American holiday. The day is usually celebrated by “praying and bringing families together.”

Currently, 47 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker signed a bill designating Juneteenth into an official state holiday in July 2020. Though the ongoing pandemic limits what events are taking place state-wide, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2021.

The WTS-Boston Diversity Committee encourages people of all races, nationalities, and ethnicities to join in support and participation in Juneteenth celebrations.

Here are a few Boston-based events you can check out this Month.

• Juneteenth: Opera in the Key of Freedom (learn more here).

     Date: Sat, Jun 19, 1:30 PM – 8:59 PM

     Location: The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul (138 Tremont St, Boston, MA).

• MFA Community Celebration: Juneteenth (learn more here).

     Date: Sat, Jun 19, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM

     Location:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA).

• Juneteenth Black In Business POPUP Market (learn more here).

     Date: Sat, Jun 19, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT

     Location: Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (396 County St, New Bedford, MA).

• The Black Matters Juneteenth Experience (learn more here).

     Date: Sat, Jun 19, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

     Location: Starlight Square (84 Bishop Allen Dr, Cambridge, MA).