Nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President
Lincoln, the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom.
Though the proclamation was signed in 1863, federal troops traveled to Galveston,
Texas on June 19, 1865, to ensure enslaved individuals in the area were released (the
13th Amendment was then adopted in December of 1865, which formally abolished slavery
in the law).
The celebration that followed this significant day in Galveston, sometimes called
“Emancipation Day,” has now become the day we recognize as the end of legal slavery
in the United States.
While 2022 marks the 157th year that Juneteenth has been celebrated – it is now the second year it has been
recognized as a Federal Holiday. At the PPMC we are committed to honoring Juneteenth
and learning the complicated history of our nation.
The mission of Juneteenth is the celebration of emancipation and the continued work
to cultivate and seek freedom. Shannette Garrett-Scott’s 2013 essay, “When Peace Come” is a good resource for anyone seeking to better understand Juneteenth’s legacy in
African American history and American history as a whole.
How to Celebrate Locally
JuneteenthICT Parade: The parade starts at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 18 from Holy Savior Catholic Academy
to McAdams Park where the all-day JuneteenthICT celebration will occur.
The parade is co-sponsored by Wichita State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion,
Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership, and Office Engagement.
JuneteenthICT: This is Wichita’s official Juneteenth celebration hosted by CORE (Community Operations
Recovery Empowerment Inc.) and presented by the Kansas Health Foundation. The event
has a variety of activities over the weekend of June 17-20 from live music and art
to cook off competitions and the annual parade.
Event attendance requires a wristband. Get yours throughout the weekend or prior to
June 17 at Mulberry Art Gallery or Jenny Dawn Cellars
Juneteenth Street Party: Join the Tallgrass Film Association, Wichita Community Foundation, and the Kansas
African American Museum on Sunday, June 19th at the Historic Dunbar Theater for a free street party and outdoor screening of the
original Space Jam.
