The National Museum of African American History and Culture refers to Juneteenth as our country’s second independence day. Short for “June Nineteenth,” the holiday is also known as “Freedom Day” and “Emancipation Day.”
What is Juneteenth?
On Jan. 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves who were in states that rebelled against the Union were now free. In the lead-up to the end of the Civil War in April 1865, Union soldiers traveled throughout Confederate states to read the proclamation to slaves.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that all slaves were freed. But the news had yet to reach the slaves in Texas, who were the last to hear about their freedom. The following year, June 19 became a day of remembrance and “Jubilee Day” for the more than 250,000 newly freed slaves. Juneteenth has since been widely celebrated in the African American community and is especially significant in Galveston.
Road to Federal Recognition
Texas became the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. The summer of 2020’s nationwide protests against police brutality and demanding racial justice brought an increased awareness of Juneteenth and its significance. Houston artist Reginald Adams and his team created a Juneteenth mural in 2021, expanding the project to additional cities.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden officially signed Juneteenth into law as the 11th federally recognized U.S. holiday.
How to Celebrate Juneteenth in Las Vegas
Saturday, June 14
- 🎵 Vegas City Opera Presents Juneteenth: Ready for Freedom at Whitney Library | 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Free | Tropicana & Nellis
Sunday, June 15
- 🏳️🌈 Juneteenth Pride Block Party at The Center | 2 - 7 p.m. | Free | Downtown
- 🎵 Vegas City Opera Presents Juneteenth: Ready for Freedom at the West Charleston Library | 3 - 4 p.m. | Free | Charleston & Torrey Pines
- 🎶 Grace City Opera Theatre: Juneteenth Opera Scenes at West Las Vegas Library | 3 - 4 p.m. | Free | Historic Westside
Tuesday, June 17
- 🎨 Juneteenth Paint Party at Icebox LV | 6 - 8:30 p.m. | $28.52+ | Sahara & Boulder Hwy
Wednesday, June 18
- 📚 Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom & Book Bus at The Wall | Noon - 7 p.m. | Free | AREA15
Thursday, June 19
- 🏊 Juneteenth Pool Party Celebration at Prentiss Walker Memorial Park | 1 - 4 p.m. | Free | North Las Vegas
- 👕 Tofu Tees: Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Fergusons Downtown | 5 - 8 p.m. | No cover | Fremont East
- 🎆 F.A.I.T.H. Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Craig Ranch Regional Park | 4 - 8:30 p.m. | Free | North Las Vegas
- 🎉 Juneteenth Festival at Water Street Plaza | 6 - 9 p.m. | Free | Henderson
Thursday, June 20
- 😀 Compton AV Juneteenth Weekend at Backstage Bar & Billiards | 8 p.m. | $33.85 | Fremont East
Saturday, June 21
- 🌍 Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival at The Expo | 4 - 9 p.m. | Donation-based | Downtown
Sunday, June 22
- 🎨 Juneteenth Paint and Sip at Mariposa Cocina & Cocktails | 6 - 9 p.m. | $39.19 | Decatur & Sahara
The Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival was featured as one of the top events in June by City Cast Las Vegas [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
