Each year, the federal holiday Juneteenth (celebrated on June 19) celebrates the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was designed to eradicate slavery from the United States. Often hailed as the longest-running African American holiday, Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen.
Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the final execution of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had initially gone into effect more than two years prior. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated not only to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S.
but also to increase awareness of Black and African-American excellence throughout history. In Auburn and Cayuga County, where Harriet Tubman lived for the final 50-plus years of her life, Juneteenth events are truly a sight to behold and often stretch throughout the month of June. In fact, celebrations of the holiday are so robust that Auburn was named one of the 13 best places to celebrate Juneteenth last year.
This June, there are countless ways to celebrate Juneteenth and to educate ourselves on Black history: ● 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 14: Music on the Mall featuring The Frank White Experience: State Street’s free Music on the Mall concert series will feature The Frank White Experience, a live band tribute to the Notorious B.
I.G. Nearby restaurants, bars and breweries will offer food and drink specials all night long.
U.A.D.
performs at the Booker T. Washington Community Center's Junet.
