Making a Difference for Juneteenth
Since the 1865, June 19, also known as Juneteenth, has been celebrated to commemorate the date that enslaved African Americans were finally freed. However, a majority of the American population are still unaware of the significance of this holiday. For starters, Juneteenth originated from Galveston, Texas, where Union Army Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved African Americans. Keep in mind, the Emancipation Proclamation was announced two years prior by President Abraham Lincoln. Not only this, but it took until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment that slavery was abolished nationwide.
While many states are going through ratifications in order to make this an official state and national holiday, here are some opportunities to celebrate locally in Maryland:
Annapolis Juneteenth Celebration
June 18-19 from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
There’s a multitude of options of where you can volunteer: administration, hospitality, youth and family activities, entertainment, etc. Register here.
EN(JOY) The Mic Open Mic Night
June 18 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Join this Baltimore-based open mic night dedicated to giving DMV artists a collaborative home! You can reserve tickets as either an attendant or a volunteer to help set up. Register here.
James Madison’s Montpelier
June 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On this day, the museum will open its award-winning exhibition _The Mere Distinction of Colour_, the South Yard structures, the Gilmore Cabin, and 1910 Train Depot. Don’t feel like taking a road trip to the museum? No worries! They have online tours as well and virtual events happening all throughout June. Learn more here.
Juneteenth Freedom Walk
June 19 at 9:00 a.m.
Join the Town of Snow Hill, the Worchester County Branch of the NAACP, and Snow Hill United for their inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Walk. Register here.
Juneteenth Popup!
June 19 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Come out Hanover Cross Street in Federal Hill to support small businesses, uplift the community, and bring awareness to the holiday. Register here.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
June 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you want to dive deeper into African American history and folklore then this is the place to start. The Smithsonian is slowly starting to open up again, so let’s all do our part in keeping history alive and support these major conservation buildings. Learn more here.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum
June 19 – Virtual Event
- Explore the historical legacy of the Reconstruction Era and Freedmen’s Bureau with a scholarly lecture by Dr. Chris Bonner, University of Maryland, College Park. This presentation will be followed by a demo of the Smithsonian Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription Project with Quinton Gregory, University of Maryland, College Park. Register here.
The Peale Center: Juneteenth Stories of Freedom
June 19 at 1:00 p.m.
This is a virtual storytelling event, featuring African American storytellers, with hopes to unite all people in the spirit of activism by recent human rights protests. This event will feature Griots’ Circle of Maryland, they are historians and storytellers for their community. Learn more here.