14TH ANNUAL BOSTON JUNETEENTH EMANCIPATION OBSERVANCE

SAVE THE DATE

June 19th, 2023 


The Museum of the NCAAA
300 Walnut Ave.
Roxbury, MA 02119

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SAVE THE DATE
BOSTON JUNETEENTH 2024 COUNTDOWN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19TH, 2024

0 Days
9 Hours
59 Minutes
59 Seconds

Who is the Boston Juneteenth Committee?

The Boston Juneteenth Committee is a volunteer-based community education initiative in partnership with The Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists. The committee is especially known for the Juneteenth Emancipation Observance and the Big Head Community Festival. Both of these annual events promote civic and cultural engagement and increase knowledge about our shared heritage.

What is Juneteenth?

In 2021, President Biden recognized Juneteenth as a national/federal holiday, Juneteenth is the longest running commemoration/celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

The celebration originated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 after General Granger publicly announced his Order No. 3. Emancipation Day celebrations across the South have been held on different days throughout the year.

Juneteenth is recognized as the last time and place a public proclamation of freedom was given after the end of the Civil War. It has been held annually since its inception and has spread to different cities. The community gatherings always include food, speakers, music, and reflection.

General Granger’s Order #3

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
General Orders, Number 3

Our Previous themes

juneteenth: honoring our martyrs and heroes

2023

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PURPOSEFUL ACTION ANCHORED IN TRUTH

2022

INTERROGATING JUNETEENTH: HISTORY AS TEACHER

2021

NUBIA: A SHARED VISION, A SHARED COMMITMENT

2020

PREPARATIONS FOR REPARATIONS: IN REVERENCE OF OUR ANCESTORS

2019

FREEDOM OUR UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2018

UNTIL WE ARE ALL FREE

2017

STANDING IN UNITY: HONORING FATHERS AND SONS

2016

FROM EMANCIPATION TO SELMA TO FERGUSON

2015

FROM EMANCIPATION TO FREEDOM:
VISION, KNOWLEDGE, ECONOMY

2014

REMEMBERING RALPH F. BROWNE, JR.  

2013

JUNETEENTH EMANCIPATION OBSERVANCE 2012

2012

JUNETEENTH EMANCIPATION OBSERVANCE 2011

2011

National Juneteenth Flag, Created by Ben Haith

2023 boston juneteenth highlights

Ralph F. Browne Awardees
Anthony A. Gray, MSN, RN
Faulkner Hospital nurse, Author of 'A Soul to Care'

Carrie Mays
UMass Boston student, Boston Reparations Task Force Member

Keynote Speaker
Tania Fernandes-Anderson
City Councilor for District 7

Creator of the National Juneteenth Flag
Ben Haith

BOSTON JUNETEENTH 2021

BOSTON JUNETEENTH 2020

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