Juneteenth 2024: Join us for a Jubilee!
Mark your calendar for Travis County’s 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! It’ll be held Friday, June 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. underneath the parking garage at 800 Lavaca St.
Everyone, including Travis County employees and the general public, is invited!
Please bring your family and friends to enjoy a day of fun, fellowship, and the celebration of freedom.
The event will have:
- Food vendors
- Informational booths
- Music
- Performances
- Games
About Juneteenth
After the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, hundreds of thousands of African Americans remained enslaved in Texas. However, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all slaves were freed. This date is known as Juneteenth.
Juneteenth symbolizes the realization of freedom for millions of African Americans who had been denied their basic human rights for centuries. It represents the power of moral action and the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. Juneteenth is also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America and the work that still needs to be done to achieve equality for all. Although slavery officially ended, systemic racism and discrimination against African Americans have persisted.
Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday on January 1, 1980. Since then, more than 30 states have followed.
On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday when a proclamation was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
By celebrating Juneteenth, Travis County sends a powerful message that the contributions of the African American community to American society are valued and appreciated. The recognition is a tangible way of acknowledging the immense sacrifice and hard work they have put into making America the country it is today. Additionally, it serves as a step toward healing the wounds of the past and promoting unity and reconciliation.
