June 19, otherwise known as Juneteenth, marks a historic milestone of the day that ALL Americans were notified of their independence and freedom. On June 19, we celebrate Black liberation and reflect on our responsibilities in creating an equitable future.
A brief history of why we celebrate Juneteenth: On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued nearly two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. [Taylor, D. B. (2023, June 9). What Is Juneteenth? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html]
Juneteenth Resources & Articles
Learn more about Juneteenth and how you can support black homeownership:
- Illinois REALTORS® Seven Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth & Understand Its History
- Support our industry partner, the Dearborn REALTIST® Board.
- More Black History resources.
Chicago Juneteenth 2023 Events
Here’s where to celebrate Juneteenth in the city this year!
Saturday, June 17
- Garfield Park: Juneteenth Program @ Legler Produce Market, Sat, Jun 17 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
- Bronzeville: Bronzeville’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration: Strengthening the roots, Sat, Jun 17 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
- Oak Park: Juneteenth West Fest, Sat, Jun 17 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
- Garfield Park: The 1865 Juneteenth Fest 2023, Sat, Jun 17 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
- West Loop: Juneteenth Celebration Family Entertainment, Sat, Jun 17 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite
- Ukrainian Village: Juneteenth Black Art Exhibit, Sat, Jun 17 at 3:00 PM | Eventnoire
Sunday, June 18
- Hyde Park: Hyde Park Juneteenth Fest! Sun, Jun 18 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
- Wicker Park: Juneteenth Movement Flow at Zen Yoga Garage, Sun, June 18 at 12:00 PM | Union