Mayor Steven L. Reed and the City of Montgomery Department of Cultural Affairs will join community partners to host several events and activities celebrating Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This day of reflection and celebration dates back to 1865 and the arrival of the Union Army in Galveston, Texas, with news and enforcement of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. It is a reminder of the precious promises of freedom, equality and opportunity, which are at the core of American values.
In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. The holiday calls for Americans to “acknowledge and celebrate the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of Black Americans, and commit together to eradicating systemic racism that still undermines our founding ideals and collective prosperity.”
Juneteenth has been observed throughout the U.S. for decades and provides a platform to celebrate the successes African Americans have gained through education and greater opportunity.
The City of Montgomery and the Department of Cultural affairs have cultivated a unique lineup of events to celebrate Juneteenth. Events begin on Friday, June 17, and a full list (which we’ll update daily) can be found on the City of Montgomery’s website at
https://www.montgomeryal.gov/play/city-events.
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Event Description:Mayor Steven L. Reed and the City of Montgomery Department of Cultural Affairs will join community partners to host several events and activities celebrating Juneteenth.