June 19, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is an American holiday honoring the date the last slaves in the United States were freed after the Civil War.
While President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, the final execution of the order was officially carried out two months after the end of the Civil War, on June 19, 1865.
Slaves in Galveston, Texas were the last to hear that they were free when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the proclamation implemented.
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The date later became a celebration, with parades, festivals and cookouts across the US. In 2021, President Joe Biden made it an official federal holiday, while Georgia made it a state holiday the following year.
Although Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday this year, events for the celebration will take place all weekend long.
Here is a list of events and service projects taking place around metro Atlanta for Juneteenth.
If you see an event you would like to add to the list, please send an email to Channel 2 Action News Assignment Desk at newstip@wsbtv.com.
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City of South Fulton Juneteenth celebration
The City of South Fulton will hold a Juneteenth celebration at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater starting at 4 p.m. According to officials, the event will be a celebration of freedom, culture and community characteristics with a variety of performances, activities and entertainment for all ages.
Activities during the event include family activities and a fireworks finale, plus performances by local artists and celebrities, and a showcase of music, dance and spoken word.
Stone Mountain Juneteenth celebration
The City of Stone Mountain will hold a Juneteenth celebration at the Baptist Lawn, a new city property located at 5325 Manor Drive. The celebrations will take place there from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM Saturday June 15, celebrating the history and celebration of Juneteenth, including cultural performances, live entertainment, delicious African cuisine and a marketplace with unique crafts and artwork. Food trucks and vendors are also expected.
Roswell hosts Juneteenth events at the Cultural Arts Center
The city of Roswell announced that they would host a nearly two-month series of events to commemorate the occasion.
While some events have already taken place, the Roswell Cultural Arts Center will host a “Spirit of Harriet Tubman” event on June 15 at 2:30 p.m. and June 16 at 6 p.m.
On June 19, the City of Roswell will host “Exploring Black Experiences in Roswell” at the Smith Plantation at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM, where an educational program will share the history of those who worked as slaves on the plantation and “highlight how their workers built and maintained much of the early city, contributing to its growth and the thriving local economy.”
The exhibition will remain open until July 31.
Atlanta History Center’s June 2024: Home Plate
The Atlanta History Center will host a series of Juneteenth-focused celebrations and activities on June 15 at 10 a.m., including a featured look at the life and legacy of Hank Aaron. The venting starts at 10:00 am
The More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron and a pop-up Barbecue Nation event celebrate how food, family and community come together.
Food writer Nicole A. Taylor, who wrote the Juneteenth cookbook “Watermelon & Redbirds,” will also be a featured speaker at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., while a “Fruits of Our Labor” event will allow participants to share stories and traditions of Experience Juneteenth through influential dishes from black culture.
Ticket prices and registration are available online here.
For information about more Juneteenth events at the Atlanta History Center, go online here.
Trilith Juneteenth Concert and Celebration
The town of Trilith in Fayetteville, Georgia will host a live entertainment event on Saturday, June 15 featuring Grammy-nominated soul singer and Gulf War veteran Anthony David. Officials said there will also be food trucks, family activities, games and giveaways. Performances begin at 4:00 PM at Town Center, located at 240 Trilith Parkway.
Atlanta Juneteenth Parade and Music Festival
The 12th annual Juneteenth Atlanta Parde and Music Festival will be held the weekend after Juneteenth, from Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23 in Piedmont Park. Several events are expected throughout the weekend.
The city of Atlanta will hold a June Black History Parade on Saturday, June 22 starting at noon, featuring floats, fly-over jets, dance troupes and more.
Juneteenth Atlanta will hold a 5K Freedom Run on June 23 in honor of Juneteenth. Registration is open here.
More information about all events can be found here.
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