On Juneteenth , New York City continues to offer a wide array of events to commemorate June 19, 1865 — the day U.S. Army soldiers brought news of emancipation to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in the United States.
Also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas for decades. It was finally recognized as a national holiday in 2021 when President Biden signed it into law. Here are some highlights of 2024 Juneteenth events throughout the city (and even what to watch on TV): Juneteenth at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan The museum kicks of its day-long programming celebrating Black liberation, resilience, and joy with a perfect Juneteenth activity for the entire family, especially the little ones.
From 10 a.m.to 12:45 pm, visitors can help create the Free To Be Me Mural, a community mural inspired by painters like Derrick Adams, Kerry James Marshall, and Amy Sherald, who painted former first lady Michelle Obama’s official portrait .
Other activities include a reading of Brad Meltzer’s children’s book, “I am Harriet Tubman (Ordinary People Change the World).” Attendees can also learn to create lantern suncatchers, which are a symbol of hope, strength, and generosity to honor Harriet Tubman’s impact on American history. Late jazz musician Max Roach will have a street named in his honor in Bedford Stuyvesant, where he was raised.
Highly regarded by his peer.