What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas received their freedom. It is now the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
It was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the American Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official Jan. 1, 1863.
The word "Juneteenth" was coined in the late 1890s and the celebration grew, especially in the Black community in the southern United States, then moved northward. It became more widely known nationally during the struggle for racial equality in the 1960s.
Historically, Juneteenth celebrations were a time for family members to re-commit themselves to freedom and the fight for equality. Rodeos, fishing derbies, barbecues, and baseball games were among the Juneteenth activities that became popular community events. In more recent history, Juneteenth has evolved into a celebration of Black American life featuring educational events and cultural activities.
In 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making June 19 a federal holiday.
Although the University is closed on Juneteenth 2023, Pitt is hosting a celebration as well as a community volunteer event.
Juneteenth at the University of Pittsburgh
“This Thing We Call Hip-Hop”
7 p.m. June 15
Blaxk Box Theater
OEDI and 1Hood Media hosted a panel discussion at Oakland’s Blaxk Box Theater titled, “This Thing We Call Hip-Hop,” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this distinctly American musical genre that emerged from Black culture in New York City and has since gone global.
Pitt staff, faculty, students, alumni, and community members, including hip-hop artists, discussed the impact the music has had on Pittsburgh, and the influence Pittsburghers have had on the music. Featured panelists included Hardo, FeddtheGod, Paradise Gray, SpeciàlK, Dr. Starkes (The Rapping Principal), and POPChanny.
“Rooted in the Community”
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 16
Various locations
OEDI and other University partners will host “Rooted in the Community.” Pitt staff, faculty, students, and alumni will volunteer to work at local community gardens:
- Hill District: Volunteers will spread mulch using wheelbarrows, assist with building a three-stage compost bin, clear and discard all weeds growing between raised beds, rake and discard grass clippings at green spaces, build a melon patch and pick up litter. Sign up to volunteer
- Homewood: Sankofa Village Community Garden has installed a pagoda on its property and needs help completing the floor. Volunteers will be adding compost to the gravel, laying pavers and planting ground cover, and, if time permits, will do some painting. Sign up to volunteer
- Knoxville: Saint Paul AME Church is developing a “forever garden” and needs help cleaning away debris, rocks and weeds as they build for the future. Sign up to volunteer
- McKeesport: Volunteers will help clean up and replant one pollinator garden and — if time allows — clean up additional gardens in the city. Volunteers will be digging and hauling, refilling areas with fresh top soil and planting. Volunteers also will help build up garden edging. Sign up to volunteer
Community Events
June 10-11
Juneteenth Youth Festival
Black Heritage Celebration
Mellon Park
June 16-19
Juneteenth Freedom Day
Point State Park
June 17
Juneteenth & Voting Rights Parade
Downtown Pittsburgh
July 13-15
Pittsburgh Black Music Festival
Downtown Pittsburgh
Additional Resources
The University Library System has created this guide for commemorating Juneteenth.