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Events, Resources to Celebrate Juneteenth

June 17
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President Lincoln abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, however it wasn’t until two years later on June 19, 1865 that slaves in Texas were officially free. Also known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021. Events honoring Juneteenth include both the week leading up to the date, and this year, Monday, June 20 many government offices closed.

Here are family-friendly activities happening celebrating Juneteenth this weekend:

Madison area:
Milwaukee area:
PBS Kids shares a list of Juneteenth children’s books on its website. The children’s book The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini, included on the PBS booklist, is also listed on Madison Reading Projects’ June Books We Love booklist.