Juneteenth 2023

Dear colleagues,

On June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States following the Civil War.

In Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Grander announced the end of the Civil War and that those enslaved were now free. This announcement, however, came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. As many enslavers continued to hold enslaved people after the Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom, hope, and the end of slavery in the US.

As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, it is important to understand the significance of this day as we continue to strive for social justice, work toward a more diverse and inclusive culture, and advance the mission of health equity.

Juneteenth celebrations offer the opportunity to reflect and honor this day and acknowledge the work we as a nation must continue to do. We encourage you to take a moment and learn more about the meaning of Juneteenth and take part of the programming and events that are happening locally.

For additional resources and information:

• NY Times article, Juneteenth: The History of a New Holiday
• The history of Juneteenth

List of local events for Juneteenth:

• Juneteenth Caribbean Heritage Festival – June 17^th from 7:00am – 7:00pm
• NIC Juneteenth in Soulard – June 17^th from 9:00am – 6:00pm
• Juneteenth Ride – June 17^th from 9:00am – 1:30pm
• Juneteenth Family Day – June 17^th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
• 2^nd Annual Juneteenth “Free-Dome: Celebration – June 19^th from 1:00 – 7:00pm

In solidarity and celebration,