When is Juneteenth in 2017?

The 2017 Juneteenth is on Monday, June 19th. 

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day, is a celebration of the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery was announced in Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it was not formally announced or enforced in the State of Texas until more than 2 years later-partly due to the fact that Union Forces were stretched thin in that area of the country. Not long after General Lee surrendered in April of 1865, signaling the end of the Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger landed with a regiment of Union forces at Galveston, Texas, to put emancipation into effect.

Today, most states recognize this as a holiday or day of observance. It is an important celebration within the African-American community, and is honored on a local level with many parades, fairs, parties, and musical events. On a larger scale, the Smithsonian, The Henry Ford Museum, and other historical institutions sponsor events in honor of Juneteenth, promoting education and appreciation of African-American history and Culture.