Juneteenth 2023: Showtime at Juneteenth – Discovering our Roots
Mark your calendar for Travis County’s 34th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! It’ll be held Friday, June 16, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. underneath the parking garage at 800 Lavaca St. Travis County employees and the general public are invited!
This year’s theme is “Showtime at Juneteenth – Discovering our Roots.” Please bring your family and friends to enjoy a day of fun, fellowship, and the celebration of freedom.
- Travis County employees will participate in a talent show
- Food booths will be available
- Informational booths from local nonprofit organizations will be on-site
About Juneteenth
After the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, hundreds of thousands of African Americans remained enslaved in Texas. However, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all slaves were freed. This date is known as Juneteenth.
Juneteenth symbolizes the realization of freedom for millions of African Americans who had been denied their basic human rights for centuries. It represents the power of moral action and the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. Juneteenth is also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights in America and the work that still needs to be done to achieve equality for all. Although slavery officially ended, systemic racism and discrimination against African Americans has persisted.
Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday on January 1, 1980. Since then, more than 30 states have followed.
On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday when a proclamation was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
By celebrating Juneteenth, Travis County sends a powerful message that the contributions of the African American community to American society are valued and appreciated. The recognition and celebration is a tangible way of acknowledging the immense sacrifice and hard work that they have put into making America the county it is today. Additionally, it serves as a step towards healing the wounds of the past and promoting unity and reconciliation.
