Juneteenth marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX on June 19,1865 to announce General Order No. 3, proclaiming all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Though some cities and states held previous celebrations, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law on June 17, 2021 establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
While Juneteenth – also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day – is a celebration, it is also a day to listen, learn and support. Learn more about how you can recognize Juneteenth in surrounding Spot communities:
Community Celebrations
Saturday, June
12:00-6:00PM
White River State Park at Celebration Plaza
801 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
June 16 -19
Plaza-Midwood Neighborhood
Charlotte, NC
Juneteenth Celebration in Downtown Tempe
Sunday, June 19
7:00-10:00PM
CenterPoint Plaza
660 S. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Support Black-owned Businesses
Indy Black Owned – Indianapolis Black-owned Businesses
70+ Black-owned Businesses You Can Support Right Now – Axios Charlotte
Black-owned Restaurants and Businesses in Tempe, AZ – Tempe Tourism
Movies
13th (2016) The Central Park Five (2012) 42 (2013)
Rosewood (1997) Selma (2014) 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Malcom X (1992) Just Mercy (2019) The Long Walk Home (1990)
Blogs/Podcasts
How To Keep Juneteenth Alive All Year Round – Sounds Good with Branden Harvey (Podcast)
Honoring Juneteenth with Ibram X. Kendi – Vox Conversations (Podcast)