Trinity Celebrates Juneteenth with the Nation
Tigers recognize and honor Freedom Day in 2021
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when individuals who were still enslaved in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that they were free—nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Also known as “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the U.S. as a day of remembrance of the tragic and unjust delay of emancipation for enslaved Black/African/African American people.
Awareness about and celebration of Juneteenth has grown in the last several years. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making Juneteenth a recognized federal holiday.
How can you celebrate Juneteenth?
- Learn more about Juneteenth at the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
- See some of the celebrations taking place across San Antonio this week.
- Watch last week’s on-demand KSAT 12 & KSAT.com town hall discussion with Trinity history professor Carey Latimore, Ph.D., to learn more about how the day’s meaning and recognition have evolved and grown in recent years.
- Attend the Texas Freedom Festival/Juneteenth 2021 event, which is free and open to the public, on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 11p.m. at Comanche Park #2.