Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  On June 19, 1865, Union forces arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. This announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two and a half years earlier on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. The holiday received its name by combining June and 19 and is also referred to as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”

Celebrate Juneteenth with YA Teaching Artists this week with these upcoming events:

June 19^th– Join Teaching Artist and photographer Erik James Montgomery on YouTube for a virtual opening of his online photo exhibition on Friday, June 19^that 7pm. http://www.youtube.com/ejmphotodotcom (click on “live”)

June 19^th– Register for the Bloom Virtual Summit hosted by Teaching Artist Summer Dawn Reyes participate in the Juneteenth Fundraiser.  http://www.infullcolor.org/bloom

June 23^rd– Hear the poetry of Teaching Artist Josh A. Campbell in his new piece “Your Body Calls me Home” debuting in a livestream with the Free Library of Philadelphia on Tuesday June 23rd at 6pm. https://www.crowdcast.io/e/your-body-calls-me-home/register