Juneteenth

A Maine town has condemned a “disgraceful” sign posted in a window that mocked Juneteenth using racist stereotypes of Black people. The sign on a business window in Millinocket said of Juneteenth, the federal holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States, “it’s whatever… We’re closed.” That was followed by a reference to foods that have...

Brandon Byrd, Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, joins LX News to discuss the history of Juneteenth. 

As the United States marks only the second federally recognized Juneteenth, Black Americans living overseas have embraced the holiday as a day of reflection and an opportunity to educate people in their host countries on Black history. President Joe Biden moved quickly last year to federally recognize the day Black Americans have been celebrating since the last enslaved people were...

A social advocate’s book recommendations inspired by the legacy of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a cause for celebration.

Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday after being signed into law by President Joe Biden last year. The day celebrates the emancipation of slaves and is officially the 19th — which falls on Sunday — but festivities were already underway in Boston on Friday. Young performers showcased their talents at a Juneteenth celebration inside Boston City Hall that…

A block party in Roxbury was one of many local events celebrating Juneteenth, the now federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

As we celebrate Juneteenth this weekend, commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S., activists in Vermont say there is still more work to do. The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and Vermont Interfaith Action launched a campaign Friday which asks voters to approve an amendment to the state constitution. The amendment would formally abolish all forms of slavery — by…

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery that takes place every year on June 19. Known by many names — including Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day and Black Independence Day — it became a federal holiday just last year. Here are four things to know about the holiday and its history.

Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday in the U.S. But what’s the meaning behind the day off, and will banks and the Post Office be closed? Your questions answered.

Retailers and marketers have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party favors.

On June 19, 1939, a home on Fort Worth’s south side was vandalized and burned. Angry that a Black family had moved into the neighborhood, a group of 500 protesters dragged furniture into the yard, smashed windows, and set the home on fire. Otis Flake and his family were forced to run. Among them was 12-year-old Opal Lee. “I’m not…

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the Emancipation Proclamation was brought to enslaved people in Texas — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued it. After Juneteenth became a federal holiday, more corporations got involved in promoting and celebrating it — though not all efforts have been well-received. Dartmouth history professor Matthew Delmont joins LX News to...

Nubian Square will be rockin’ Friday night, June 17, with a free Juneteenth block party. The square is always a living part of not only Boston history but American history. Kwani Lunis got the lowdown from the founder of Live Like a Local Tours.

The Red Cross of Massachusetts is calling for Black donors to take part in a series of blood drives this weekend aimed at raising awareness for sickle cell disease. In honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, the organization is hosting a series of blood drives to help patients with the illness, which plagues around 100,000…

Several Massachusetts state representatives on Tuesday condemned a text message they said was sent by a local plumbers union that referred to the Juneteenth holiday with a racist comment about Black people. The text message had been sent to members of Plumbers Local 12 to remind them of the Juneteenth holiday, according to state Rep. Bud L. Williams, D-Hampden. He…

Opal Lee is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” But how did she get there? It started with a walk from Forth Worth to Washington DC and ended with President Joe Biden signing a bill officially recognizing the day as a national holiday. Lee chatted with LX News storyteller Beth Peak about her journey to that point.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis issued a statement and apology on its website following the backlash on social media.

Walmart says it is reviewing its Juneteenth-themed ice cream following intense backlash online.

Fort Worth could soon be home to the National Juneteenth Museum, preserving the history of the national holiday and furthering historical education about oppression and freedom.