Juneteenth
What isJuneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom. The news came more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in Confederate states and about two months after the Civil War ended.
While the holiday is a reminder of delayed freedom for Black Americans, it also offers an opportunity for anyone to learn and reflect on how we can ensure that the United States lives up to its founding principles of liberty and justice for all.
Juneteenth 2023
Save the Dates: June 19 – 20, 2023
Save the dates for Juneteenth 2023! Event information will be published as details are solidified. Stay tuned with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s newsletters and socials (@uofuedi on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to be the first to know about programming updates.
2022
Juneteenth at the U
After the Utah Board of Higher Education’s approval of adding Juneteenth to university calendars, the University of Utah’s campus celebrations highlighted Black resilience, determination, and progress while examining the continuing struggle for racial justice.
Juneteenth is a time to celebrate and commemorate the triumphs of generations who fought for freedom, believing that justice and equality are their rights as American citizens. While true equality is yet to be achieved, June 19, 1865, marked the day where the dream of being free turned into reality and that hope for a better and equal life began.
Going forward, and for all future years, this holiday will be included as part of the University of Utah’s regular holiday schedule.