Commemorating Juneteenth: Events

Explore the continuing struggle for equality for all and join the Museum to mark the anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. The date commemorates the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery reached the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Texas.

Community Day: Juneteenth

The National Constitution Center offers many ways to celebrate Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in America in 1865. On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and nearly five months after the 13th Amendment was passed (six months before it would be ratified), enslaved people in Texas learned that they were free and that slavery in America had officially been abolished.

Programming highlights include the “Four Harriets” Program and a live virtual tour of the Center’s Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 18.
Museum admission will be FREE on Saturday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Celebration at AAMP

Saturday, June 19, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Free & Open to the Public

Celebrate Juneteenth at the African American Museum in Philadelphia! On Saturday, June 19 AAMP partners with Wawa Welcome America and Visit Philadelphia to host a full day of family-friendly outdoor festivities to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. The Museum’s Juneteenth celebration will include educational activities for youth and families, tasty bites and handmade wares sold by local vendors, and a live stage featuring performances by Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Nina “Lyrispect” Ball, Aijee, Drum Like a Lady, Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, and V. Shayne Frederick. The museum’s Juneteenth sound stage will be hosted by Philadelphia media personality Stephanie Renee.

Also on this day, thanks to the generosity of Wawa, AAMP will offer free timed admission to our exhibition and galleries between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to register in advance for timed entry to AAMP’s core exhibition Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776-1876, and our current special exhibition, Anna Russell Jones: The Art of Design. Learn more about timed admission and plan your visit today at: www.aampmuseum.org/visiting-aamp-safety-tips.html.

Freedom Stories: Juneteenth Family Event Online, Presented by Young Audiences of PA and NJ

For families with children ages 3-10

In 2020 Governor Phil Murphy declared Juneteenth a State and public holiday. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved people of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom. Gifted storyteller TAHIRA shares tales of freedom fighters in this dramatic performance. A compelling look at the people who took extraordinary risks for freedom, this program emphasizes the importance of having courage in the face of inequality and injustice.

This program will be held on Zoom and ASL interpretation will be provided.

The Schomburg Center Literary Festival expands the center's long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. Join us on the final day of the festival for readings, author talks, and panel discussions. These programs will be streamed on Zoom and simulcast to YouTube. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. Please check your email shortly before the discussion to receive the link. American Sign Language (ASL) and captioning are provided for all for all virtual events.

A day of unity where everyone is invited to come together and celebrate the voices from diverse African cultures.