This Saturday is Juneteenth — also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth is a portmanteau of the words “June” + “nineteenth” and is celebrated on June 19 every year.
Why is it celebrated? Despite President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves on January 1, 1863, people who were enslaved in Texas were not freed. Nearly 2 and a half years later on June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to read General Order No. 3 — a federal order freeing all previously enslaved people in Texas.
In 2008, SC passed a law designating June 19 as a Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day “in order that these things might never be forgotten or taken for granted.”
Here are local events recognizing this important time in history.
⭐ Lowcountry Juneteenth Week
This week of events includes a “Unified Bible Study & Gospel Concert” on Wednesday— which incorporates a panel of local biblical scholars. There will also be a tribute to Anita Baker on Thursday + a Father’s Day Comedy show on Sunday.
⭐ Juneteenth Freedom Fest
This celebration is taking place at Riverfront Park on Saturday from 2-10 p.m. + will have a firework show finale. Performances will include the Deninufay African Dance & Drum Production, and the entire event is free. Make sure to budget $10 for parking, bring lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray. Join the general admission waitlist or attend virtually.
⭐ Root of South J19th Fest
This event takes place at Exchange Park Friday + Saturday in Ladson. Festivities include a vaccination clinic, an HBCU virtual college fair, and a performance by the Charleston-based Ranky Tanky Band — tickets are available.
⭐ 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Freedom Park
This celebration takes place on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head. Vendors from the Reconstruction Era National Network and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor will be in attendance. There will also be a performance by the Grammy-nominated trio The HamilTones. It’s suggested to purchase tickets in advance.
Interested in learning how local community members learned about Juneteenth? We’ll let them tell you.
Whether you celebrate with barbecue — one of Juneteenth’s signature dishes — from a local business like Rodney Scott’s BBQ, support a black-owned business in the area, or join a community event, we hope you enjoy America’s second Independence Day.