Friday, June 19th marks Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, refers to June 19th, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enforced in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Early Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866 in Texas, before spreading across the South among newly freed African Americans and their descendants. Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

Interested in attending events to celebrate Juneteenth? Check out this list of community events in the Twin Cities.