The observance of Juneteenth goes by many names: Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day or Black Independence Day. But no matter what you call it, it is one of the most significant celebrations in American history.
It was on June 19, 1865 — two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. Shortly after, former slaves began to celebrate with prayer, song and dancing.
Although Juneteenth has been unofficially celebrated for more than 150 years, the United States now commemorates the day as the official end of slavery. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday in the wake of a summer of nationwide protests in 2020 that was set off by the killing of George Floyd.
In recent years, organizations in Delaware typically host different events in honor of Juneteenth. Here are some to help you celebrate.
Wilmington
Founded in 1994, the state’s oldest Juneteenth organization, the Delaware Juneteenth Association, is hosting the following events:
6th annual Juneteenth Gala
Sunday, June 11, 5 p.m., The Chase Center, 815 Justinson St., Wilmington
Juneteenth Freedom Festival and Parade
Saturday, June 17 – Parade, 10 a.m. at Rodney Square, 11th and King streets; festival, noon at Tubman-Garrett Park, Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington
Juneteenth Observance
Monday, June 19 – 5 p.m., Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church, 20 W. Lea Blvd., Wilmington. Admission is free.
26th annual Delaware Juneteenth Pageant
Saturday, June 24 – 5 p.m., The Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington
For more information regarding these events, call (302) 314-5863 or email juneteenthdelaware@gmail.com.
4th annual Beyond Juneteenth Festival
Sunday, June 18 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington.
Hosted by the Delaware Art Museum, the Beyond Juneteenth Festival celebrates the ancestral traditions of those who had been enslaved or bonded in the United States. This year’s festival features an AfrisymPOEMsium and Expo centered around healing, protection and adaptation of the human spirit.
For more information about this event, visit delart.org.
Glasgow
YWCA Delaware’s inaugural fundraising walk: Journey to Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 10 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Glasgow Park Trail, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Glasgow
In celebration of Juneteenth, join and support YWCA Delaware’s first-ever fundraising walk. The event includes a 2.6-mile walk that highlights the history of Juneteenth, an after-party, music, raffle prizes and giveaways. It will also have educational opportunities to learn more about the group’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
This event is open to the public. To learn more, visit https://myevent.com/ywcajourneytofreedom.
Newark
School Hill Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17 – 2 to 6 p.m., George Wilson Community Center, 303 New London Road, Newark
Newark’s historic Black community will host its community celebration. This event is being presented by what is the last generation to grow up in what was once Newark’s Black communities. It will feature prayer, flag-raising, a walk through the community’s historical areas, speakers, storytelling and more.
More:‘A different look’: How Wilmington honored Juneteenth and the people who made it happen
Friends of Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site Juneteenth Event
Monday, June 19 – 3 p.m., Park at Pencader Heritage Museum, 2029 Sunset Lake Road, Newark
The Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, a nonprofit that aims to preserve the built and natural features of the state-owned historic property Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, will host a Juneteenth celebration on the day. Admission is free but registration is required because parking is limited and there is no lavatory/building access.
To register for this event, visit friendsofcoochsbridge.org.
2023 Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, June 17 – 8 a.m., Executive Banquet & Conference Center, 205 Executive Dr., Newark
The A. Philip Randolph Institute Delaware Chapter will celebrate Juneteenth as well as honor honorees throughout the state of Delaware in a special prayer breakfast.
Hockessin
Wednesday, June 14 – 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Hockessin Memorial Hall, 610 Yorklyn Road, Hockessin
The Hockessin Historical Society and New Castle County are sponsoring a Juneteenth event lecture. It will feature two guest speakers who will discuss Juneteenth and the Underground Railroad. This event is free and open to the public.
To learn more about the Hockessin Historical Society, visit hockessinhistoricalsociety.org.
Lewes/Georgetown
Georgetown Freedom Day Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., parade starts at 10 a.m. and will proceed about 1 mile to the Richard Allen Center, 316 S. Railroad Ave., Georgetown
Lewes Freedom Day Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 24 – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Richard Allen School, 316 S. Railroad Ave., Georgetown
To volunteer for these events or for more information, visit, https://sdarj.org/.
Middletown
Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce’s Juneteenth Freedom Day
Sunday, June 18 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Charles E. Price Memorial Park, Middletown. Registration is required, according to the chamber’s website.
Winterthur
The Wilmington Ballet, in collaboration with The Whitney Project, will host a celebration of African American culture commemorating Juneteenth Freedom Day. Registration is required but the event is free for members to attend, according to their website.
Saturday, June 17 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur.
Rehoboth Beach
Sussex County Family YMCA Juneteenth Celebration
Monday, June 19 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sussex Family YMCA, 20080 Church St., Rehoboth Beach. This event is free and open to the public, featuring fun activities, food, and a special presentation about Juneteenth. Learn more here.
Did we miss other Juneteenth events happening? If so, contact reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight and support the Facebook group Delaware Voices Uplifted.
