Juneteenth (Officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect Jan 1, 1863. However because there was no email and honestly certain folks weren’t in a rush to see it enforced, it didn’t reach Texas until 1865.
Juneteenth refers to June 19th when the final stronghold in Texas was informed that the enslaved were indeed “free” (we all know it’s more like ‘free-ish’). This led to celebrations around the country for many African Americans.
To put this into context, Frederick Douglass’s speech “What to the slave is the 4th of July” in 1852, 13 years before June 19th. Juneteenth is the new 4th of July for African Americans. So events and celebrations commemorate this starting from June 13th to the 19th. Here are some that are happening in Rochester, NY!
Let’s get started! The events are listed in the order in which they are happening.
A Pre-Juneteenth Rally – From 1964 to 2024: Sixty Years in the Fight for Justice in Rochester
June 8 | Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Parking Lot
The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission is hosting a rally to spotlight the July 1964 Uprising, aiming to provide historical insight into the three days of unrest and the opportunity to shape the future of justice in our community…
Click here to learn more about the Pre-Juneteenth Rally
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Juneteenth Block Party Freedom Day Celebration
June 14th | Rochester City Hall
Join Mayor Evans and the City of Rochester on Friday, June 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM to celebrate Juneteenth!…
Click here to earn more about the Juneteenth Block Party Freedom Day Celebration
2024 Rochester Juneteenth Festival
June 15th | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission presents the annual Juneteenth Festival on June 15, 2024, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 353 Court Street, Rochester, NY…
Click here to learn more about the 2024 Rochester Juneteenth Festival
ERASE 5th Annual Juneteenth Event
June 15th | Irondequoit Town Hall
Get ready for a day filled with summer fun, delicious food, and unforgettable family memories at the ERASE 5th Annual Juneteenth 2024 Event. This year, we are excited to showcase the talents of BIPOC vendors, along with a lineup of amazing performers and musicians…
Click here to learn more about the ERASE 5th Annual Juneteenth Event
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And there you have it. As we discover more events they will be added to this article to keep you in the loop.
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