Celebrating Juneteenth in Louisiana
On April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Caroline ushering in an era of violence and death in America. On January 1, 1863, three years into the war, The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. This proclamation would free all slaves in the US. However, many slaves, especially those in confederate-controlled areas, would not know about their freedom till June 19, 1865.
As of June 19, 1865, there were more than 250,000 enslaved black people in Galveston Bay, Texas. Union troops arrived and announced all slaves were free by executive decree. This would later be known as “Juneteenth”.
Juneteenth is a day of remembrance and celebration. This year, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris signed a bill into law that would make June 19th a federal holiday commemorating the end of the legal enslavement of Black Americans. “Juneteenth marks both a long hard night of slavery subjugation and a promise of a brighter morning to come,” Biden said. He said the day is a reminder of the “terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take.”
To view this historical moment and share in the celebration, please visit.
Juneteenth is celebrated across the country with festivals, parades, food, and music. Louisiana is no different! Our office will be honoring the federal holiday on June 18, 2021 by closing our office early.
We have included a list below of events you and your family can attend.
Juneteenth Celebrations in Louisiana
Gus Young Park Juneteenth Celebration (Baton Rouge, LA)
Baton Rouge, LA Juneteenth Celebration
Old South Baton Rouge Juneteenth Art and Culture Festival
Juneteenth events in New Orleans
Charles Johnson Children’s Park Juneteenth Celebration (Monroe, LA)
Hold Your Crown (Shreveport, LA)
Lafayette, LA Juneteenth Celebrations
Freedom Festival (Lake Charles, LA)
Alexandria, LA Juneteenth Celebrations
