Today is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It has been celebrated since June 19th, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, Texas were told by Union troops that they, and all other enslaved African Americans in the state, were free. Since then, June 19th has been a holiday for the African American community to celebrate their history and culture. Though this holiday has been celebrated for over 150 years, this is the first year it has been recognized as a holiday by Google Calendar. Here are some local and, even, virtual events that can get you involved in Juneteenth 2020.
March in Annapolis – 2 p.m. March starts at the Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Memorial and ends at Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial
A Virtual Celebration with the Academy Art Museum – Celebration will offer several opportunities to experience art and art performance through exhibitions, artisans, family art activities, music, dance, and more. Celebration will begin 11 a.m. June 19 and end at 7 p.m. June 20; Learn more here
A Celebration of Resilience – All day June 19th and 20th, Hosted by African American History and Culture Museum at the Smithsonian Virtual Event; engage in your history, learn where you came from, and discover or share ways to celebrate this holiday. The museum will bring presentations, stories, photographs, and recipes from the Sweet Home Cafe
National Park Services “Juneteenth: We Need to Talk” – A conversation about the intersection of race, history, and outdoors hosted by the National Park Services Chesapeake Bay Office. Register here; Webinar starts at 12 p.m.
Accokeek Foundation: Juneteenth “Journey to Freedom: Virtual Tour – Step through time and see how life changed in Maryland when slavery was abolished in 1865. Virtual tour of the Museum Theater is followed by a live Q&A with Interpretation Coordinator, Shemika Berry, Register here; Webinar starts at 12 p.m.
Virtual Opening of the Harriet Tubman Museum & Walk for Social Justice – Museum tour is virtual and walk for social justice is held in Cape May; Watch here; 3-5 p.m.
Equity and Environmental Justice for All – Conversation on equity, justice and climate in the African American community, register here; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Juneteenth 2020: A Day of Remembrance – Sweet Honey in the Rock invites you to a virtual concert and conversation at 8 p.m. The performance will stream live from The Lincoln Theater; Learn more here
History of Juneteenth Documentary Watch Party – Presented by Dr. Shennette Garrett-Scott at the Allen Public Library to trace the events from the late 19th century freedmen colonies’ and settlements’ celebrations to the present community events. After the documentary will be a discussion led by Ericka Smith, a counselor with the YWCA, Learn more here; 12 p.m.
Music to Celebrate Our Ancestors: Drumming, Dance & Song – 1 p.m. Zoom and Facebook Live, live streaming from the Portsmouth African Burying Ground by members of the African drumming and dance group Akwaaba Ensemble and Rev. Robert Thompson will honor the ancestors who survived the Middle Passage with traditional songs and dance, Register here
Songs that Feed the Soul: A Concert – 7 p.m. Zoom and Facebook Live, features performances from members of the Negro Ensemble Company New York including Burgundy Williams, Joy Brown, Michael Andreaus, Sean Mason & special guest N’Kenge, Register here
