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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EVENTS LISTED
BELOW, CLICK THE IMAGE OR LINK PROVIDED.
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THE WORD BOSTON'S SPECIAL JUNETEENTH EDITION |  | |
THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and all slaves were now free. As a result of Granger’s discovery
that slavery still existed in Galveston, even after the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted two and a half years earlier, Juneteenth became a holiday for many African Americans.
In 1996, the first federal legislation to recognize "Juneteenth Independence Day" was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 2000s and 2010s, activists continued a long process to push Congress towards official recognition of Juneteenth. Organizations such as the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation sought a Congressional designation of Juneteenth as a national day of observance. By 2016, 45 states were recognizing the occasion. That year, Opal Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," began a walk from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. to advocate for a federal holiday. Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared a holiday in 1986.
Thousands of locals and people from around the country gather in Franklin Park’s Shattuck Grove to take part in the Mother of All Juneteenth Celebrations. This time-honored tradition is now celebrated at many different events held throughout New England. A complete roster of Juneteenth activities is listed below. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free, enjoy!
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BLACK HISTORY TRAIL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S
2023 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION "READING THE BONES: CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN DIASPORA"
Saturday, June 10 and Thursday, June 16
through Monday, June 19
The BHTNH's celebration includes a tour, a panel discussion, a Reggae festival, a gospel choir concert, African drumming and more. BHTNH offers this weeklong Juneteenth celebration to honor these early African settlers and their descendants for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of this region. We honor the African traders who interacted with Indigenous tribal nations long before European settlers landed on these shores. We honor the Africans who survived the Middle Passage and the successive generations of the African diaspora who continue to contribute to the development, wealth and well-being of New England.
To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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EMBRACE BOSTON'S JUNETEENTH BLOCK PARTY
Friday, June 16 │2:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Embrace Boston will host the Embrace Ideas Juneteenth Block Party. The block party will celebrate artistic expression through a lively party that will include some of the city's best turntablists. This celebration will be a joyful night of dancing, music, community and delicious food. The event will be held at Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave. in Roxbury. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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THE MOTHER OF ALL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS
Saturday, June 17 │8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bring your chair and picnic basket to the Mother of All Juneteenth Celebrations. If you are a friend of Pat Williams on Facebook, there are hundreds of photos of past Juneteenth celebrations (2007 through 2013). The event will be held at Shattuck Picnic Grove (Franklin Park) in Dorchester.
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JUNETEENTH LIBERATION FARMCERT
Saturday, June 17 │ 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Join us for our first annual Juneteenth Liberation Farmcert. This farm concert commemorates Juneteenth. The event will be held at 1 Akron St. in Roxbury. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY CONCERT
Saturday, June 17 │ 4:00 p.m.
Landmarks Orchestra starts the summer season with a debut performance at the Kroc Center! The concert will feature works from Scott Joplin, William Grant Still, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and more. The concert will kick off our season and celebrate the works of iconic Black composers. The concert will be held at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 650 Dudley St. in Roxbury. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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JUNETEENTH: CELEBRATING
VOICES OF BOSTON AT THE ISABELLA
STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM
Monday, June 19 │ 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bring family and friends to honor Juneteenth, the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, with a free day of performances, conversations and activities throughout the Museum that celebrate community and freedom. Join us as we celebrate and honor the legacies of black communities here in the City of Boston! In this very special program, we invite you to learn and reflect on the legacy of black residents, creatives, organizers and cultural leaders. For far too long, there has been barely any light on the stories, perspectives and struggles of Bostonians of color who continue to reside, build and thrive here. We welcome you to learn more about these stories through a very special screening of A Reckoning in Boston as well as other activities throughout the day. Enjoy poetry with Amanda Shea, a dynamic conversation with executive producer Carl Chandler and local arts and culture leaders from the city. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is located at 25 Evans Way in Boston. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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NEWTON JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Monday, June 19 │ 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.
This Celebration marks our national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Americans. We invite everyone to come together to respect, honor and celebrate diverse cultures through food, music, dance and support of local Black-owned businesses. Bring a picnic or check out the food trucks by Gourmet Kreyol and Tipping Cow ice cream. Groove to DJ Firestarta or do some shopping while your kids get face-painting. This event will also showcase the variety of ways our community promotes equity for residents and students of color. The event will be held at the Hyde Community Playground, 90 Lincoln St. in Newton. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
JUNETEENTH OPEN HOUSE
Monday, June 19 │ 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Join us for performances, participate in art-making activities, catch a Spotlight Talk and see Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina, a new exhibition honoring the work and legacy of the enslaved men, women and children who crafted stoneware storage vessels in Old Edgefield for roughly 50 years before emancipation. The Museum of Fine Arts is located at 465 Huntington Ave. in Boston. To register and for more information, Click HERE.
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