By CapRadio Staff
While some of us might be celebrating a long weekend courtesy of Juneteenth, the holiday has deep roots in American history, dating back to the 1860s.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, but it took 2 years for word to reach slaves in Galveston, Texas — the westernmost point of the Confederacy — to learn of their freedom. Juneteenth, a combination of “June” and “19th”, commemorates that day: June 19, 1865.
The holiday was signed into law just two years ago by President Biden and is now observed in all 50 states. Gov. Gavin Newsom also made Juneteenth a California state holiday last year.
“It meant a lot,” Gary Simon, the executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc., told CapRadio’s Vicki Gonzalez. “History is history. And history is real. And if you don't know your history, you're going to repeat it, or you're going to allow someone else to repeat it.”
But prior to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, knowledge of the day’s significance was much less widespread. Simon was born in Virginia and raised in Alaska, and he said the latter was where he learned about the holiday and its significance. It wasn’t part of many schools’ curriculum, which educators say — and Simon agrees — reflects systemic racism and a failure to teach about Black experiences in American history.
“You don't want to tell on yourself, you don't want to reveal your sins, or you don't want folks to see the bad stuff that you did as a country,” Simon said.
Simon added that Sacramento Juneteenth Inc.’s theme this year is “continuing to push for social justice.” And he hopes people can come out to Juneteenth events “to learn to understand, which will allow you to appreciate what you don't understand.”
Here’s how you can celebrate the holiday in the Sacramento region.
20th Annual Juneteenth Festival
June 16-18 | Times vary | William Land Park
Sacramento Juneteenth Inc. is throwing their 20th annual Juneteenth festival over the course of three days. To kick off the weekend, the organization is holding a “Gospel Under the Stars” concert on Friday night. On Saturday and Sunday, Juneteenth festivities will take over William Land Park, with live music, zumba classes, food and even a golf tournament attendees can participate in. All three days of events are free to attend.
Learn more
Juneteenth at Black Miner’s Bar
June 17 | 10 a.m. | Black Miner’s Bar, Folsom
California State Parks and Friends of Lake Folsom are throwing their second annual Juneteenth celebration at Black Miner’s Bar. The event will feature exhibits about the African American 49ers who were relegated to live in the area in the mid-1800s, along with live music, guided hikes, vendors and food. The event is free to attend, but parking costs $10. Sacramento Regional Transit is providing free transportation to and from Black Miner’s Bar on Saturday.
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St. HOPE Juneteenth Block Party
June 17 | 4 p.m. | Esther’s Park
St. HOPE is hosting its third annual Juneteenth block party featuring live music, art, kids activities and a wine garden serving beverages from Black-owned breweries and vineyards. Grammy-winning R&B group Club Nouveau — which was founded in Sacramento in 1986 — is headlining the event. The block party is free to attend.
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California State Capitol Juneteenth Holiday Celebration
June 19 | 4:30 p.m. | California State Capitol
The California Black Agriculture Working Group is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on the west steps of the State Capitol. Programming includes conversations with members of the California Archives, California State Library and California Natural Resources Agency. The event is free to attend.
Learn more
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