Also known “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth is an annual American holiday that commemorates the conclusion of military efforts to maintain chattel slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. This occurred more than two years President Abraham Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation, freeing enslaved human beings in other states.  Today, it is widely recognized as a holiday that commemorates the liberation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

In Oregon, a shipyard worker from Muscogee, OK, Clara Peoples, produced the first Juneteenth celebration in Portland in 1945. Almost 80 years later in 2022, Juneteenth was made an official State Holiday. (At this time, Juneteenth is acknowledged in every state of our nation with the exception of South Dakota.)

As we consider the current national discourse concerning the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution it is important to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth and its impact on American history.

This year, multiple organizations in our area will host celebrations, and all of them are open to all members of the public. We encourage you take part in local celebrations that honor the resilience of African American people, our shared humanity, and the freedoms we all enjoy today.

The Lane County Equity and Community Consortium (ECC) and Communities of Color and Allies Network (CCAN) is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration with B.L.A.Q. Youth Inc. on Thursday, June 19th from 3pm-8pm at the Farmers Market Pavilion. For those interested in taking part in regional Juneteenth celebrations, there are many activities planned throughout the region.

We encourage everyone to take part and celebrate equality as a basic American value that we should never take for granted.