Let's Reflect. Let's Empower. Let's Rejoice!

We're so excited to share all Juneteenth festivities happening ALL MONTH long in the city of Monroe! June will be a month of serious celebration! This site is constantly being updated with the latest information. View the current listing so you can plan your Juneteenth month accordingly!

Juneteenth and Juneteenth Month History

Juneteenth is an American holiday which commemorates the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the

Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor."

— General Orders, Number 3

Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, is also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”

In 1996, the first federal legislation to recognize "Juneteenth Independence Day" was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, it wasn't until June 17, 2021 President Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

On June 6, 2022. Councilwoman Juanita Woods read a declaration approved by the City of Monroe. The Declaration announced that Juneteenth would now be considered a month-long celebration in the City of Monroe, LA. Members of the Juneteenth Planning Committee also were there to give more information about the live calendar. Cheryl Sutton, Angelica Cooper, and Rebekah Martin all gave information about how to submit events, join the committee, and where to access the calendar.