Celebrate Juneteenth at the
Wesley Campus of
National United Methodist Church!
June 21, 2026 at 12:30 pm ET
5312 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20015
What is Juneteenth and Why Do We Honor It?
On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in the Confederate States were declared legally free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it could not be implemented in areas still under Confederate control.
As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas.
Juneteenth marks our country’s second Independence Day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. People honor Juneteenth in many ways, from parties and parades to memorials and lessons. However it’s celebrated, it’s a time to share stories of resilience, resistance, and liberation, and to uplift Black joy. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.
For more information, see these Resources of the National Museum of African American History and Culture: Our American Story – Juneteenth (https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/our-american-story-juneteenth)
Juneteenth Digital Toolkit (https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth-digital-toolkit)
Youth and Children’s Toolkit (https://nmaahc.si.edu/sites/default/files/files/nmaahc_kids_-_juneteenth_resource.pdf)