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Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Family, and Future!
Juneteenth or “Freedom Day” is a nationally recognized holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, the end of slavery in the U.S. after the Civil War. Learn more about the origins of Juneteenth by checking out last year’s Hub post.
Celebrating Freedom
Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Black and African Americans communities but celebrations have spread across the U.S. in recent years. In June 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday. Juneteenth is about honoring the past, celebrating progress, recognizing the continuing fight for human rights, and planning for the future. It is a day to reflect on the impact freedom and the achievements of Black and African Americans.
Celebrating Family
Juneteenth is a major highlight among families in Black and African American communities. Families gather to enjoy food, music, and one another’s company. Family celebrations are a focal point of Juneteenth largely because of the history of forceful family separation during slavery. Enslaved families were often torn apart and lost contact as slave owners sold and separated children and other family members. After their emancipation, many African Americans focused on searching for and reuniting with their lost family members by any means possible. This included buying newspaper ads and spreading news through word of mouth. Family was hard to find given slave owners had stripped individuals of their names and identities, however, “the number of years of separation did not deter people from hoping to reunite with lost loved ones.” In current day, Black and African American families use Juneteenth to celebrate togetherness.
Indiana Juneteenth Legacy
After President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862, many freed slaves moved to the Norwood area located in southeast, Indianapolis to join the Union army. The big four railroads crossed through Norwood and provided avenues to quickly get the message out about the proclamation. The 28th Regiment, comprised of Black and African American troops, was formed in 1864. These troops fought in critical battles during the Civil War and in 1885, they were charged with delivering the message of freedom to salves in Galveston, Texas. Learn more about the 28th Regiment and their contributions by clicking here.
Call to action
Some ways to celebrate Juneteenth include:
- Check out and subscribe to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Explore the Juneteenth reading list compiled by the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. You can also support Black authors and poets buy buying and reading their books. One suggestion to get you started is “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman.
- Watch a film depicting the Black experience of historical figures and movements in observance of Juneteenth.
- Read about how to become a better ally and/or sponsor.
Events
- Saturday, June 17
- 6th Annual Indy Juneteenth Festival!
- 10 a.m.–6 p.m. EDT | Military Park, 601. W. New York St., Indianapolis, Indiana
- Juneteenth Muncie Celebration 2023
- (June 24 rain date) | 2–9 p.m. EDT | McCulloch Park, N Broadway, Muncie, IN
- Juneteenth ’23 R&B Fest
- 3 p.m. CDT | 1867 Georgia St., Gary, Indiana
- Juneteenth Celebration | Indiana State Museum
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT | 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Juneteenth and Jazz | Eiteljorg Museum
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT | 500 West Washington St., Indianapolis
- Juneteenth Jubilee | Arts for Lawrence
- 4–9 p.m. EDT | 8920 Otis Ave., Indianapolis, IN
- Block Party | Madam Walker Legacy Center
- June 17 and 18 | 12–5 p.m. EDT | Madam Walker Legacy Center, Indianapolis, IN
- 6th Annual Indy Juneteenth Festival!
- Sunday, June 18
- La Ball En Couleur | Indiana Pride of Color
- Doors open: 7 p.m. EDT | Indianapolis.
- La Ball En Couleur | Indiana Pride of Color
- Monday, June 19
- Elkhart Juneteenth Celebration 2023
- 4–8 p.m. EDT |Historic Roosevelt Center Park, 1508 Prairie St, Elkhart
- Black Heritage Juneteenth Art Show and Concert
- 6–8 p.m. EDT | Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis
- Goshen Juneteenth Celebration
- 12–4 p.m. EDT | Shanklin Park, 411 W Plymouth Ave., Goshen, IN 46526
- Elkhart Juneteenth Celebration 2023
- Saturday, June 24
- Global Village Welcome Center Juneteenth Celebration
- 12– 4 p.m. EDT | 4233 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254
- Global Village Welcome Center Juneteenth Celebration
Helpful Links
- Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture
- Juneteenth: An Indiana Legacy | PBS
- Juneteenth Digital Toolkit | Museum of African American History and Culture
- Juneteenth Reading List | Museum of African American History and Culture
- The Historical Legacy of Black Family Reunions | Museum of African American History and Culture
- Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday | NY Times