Community Celebrations: Juneteenth

The United States of America is a country of great promise. Every 4^th of July we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the declaration that all people are created equal. And every 19^th of June we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day and America’s journey towards creating an equal society for its Black citizens.

During Juneteenth, patriots across the country celebrate the Black men who fought for the Army and Navy of the United States of America (USA) in the war against the Confederate States of America. The Emancipation Proclamation and its promise of freedom was dependent upon the defeat and surrender of Confederate forces and the occupation of those states in rebellion by military personnel of the USA. The occupation of Charleston, South Carolina, is one example: The 55th Massachusetts Colored Regiment sang John Brown's March as they marched through recently defeated and occupied city in February 1865.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the occupation of Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, is also a feast day. Family and community celebrations often include smoked and grilled meats, greens, black-eyed peas, watermelon, red velvet cake and teacakes. Red punch is typically served to wash down the meal. This drink is an homage to a reddish-purple tea of West Africa called bissap. Bissap is made from flowers of the hibiscus which traveled from Africa to the Americas and Caribbean during the transatlantic slave trade.

This year, as we celebrate America’s newest federal holiday, we honor the strength and tenacity of the Black men, women and children who transcended the shackles of slavery. We also honor their descendants who keep hope alive and continue to push America to realize its promise of economic, social and judicial equality.

Thanks to public historian Sean D. Osborne of NAACP, Mystic Valley Area Branch for contributing this background!

Learn More About Juneteenth

This list of resources will grow as community members contribute. Send recommendations to hello@burlington.buzz.

Recommended Watching and Reading

The National Archives 1993 essay, The Emancipation Proclamation: An Act of Justice, summarizes the complicated history of emancipation, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the various celebrations that have been observed around the freeing of enslaved people in the United States.

The National Museum of African-American History and Culture has curated a list of impactful readings, from Barack Obama's The Substance of Hope to On Juneteenth, by Texas native Annette Gordon Reed and many other rich narratives. We also recommend Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. Which is your favorite?

Rotten Tomatoes in 2023 curated this list of films and shows to watch for Juneteenth. Also on your to-watch list should be 13th, Ava DuVernay's documentary about the prison system in the United States.

In-person and online resources

The National Center of Afro-American Artists in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. Call before you visit to be sure they are open to the public.

While their live Juneteenth event has passed, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture has a wealth of online resources to learn about the history of Black Americans, and you can even purchase merchandise that supports Black creators.

Where to Celebrate Juneteenth near Burlington

Below are just a few events happening nearby to celebrate Juneteenth. Let us know if you have one you’d like to add, especially ones in town!

The Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival in Worcester was held on June 15, 2024.

• Enjoy the Historically Black Phrases Live! game show at WBUR's CitySpace. Audience members are eligible to win prizes!
• Malden will be holding a Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19, from 11:00-3:00 with a ceremony, cookout, interactive events, and more.
• The City of Everett will hold their Juneteenth celebration from 2:00-5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 19.
• 14th Annual Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Boston.
• Museum of Fine Arts Juneteenth Open House June 20. Free for all Massachusetts residents. Art making; discussion, collaborative art symposium and performance; and "spotlight talks" focused on "Touching Roots: Black Ancestral Legacies in the Americas," a new exhibition that traces narratives of Blackness across the Atlantic world.
• The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art will also be hosting free days, featuring a wide range of storytelling, art, film, and music.
• The Massachusetts Teachers Association will host a Juneteenth event on June 19 at the Quinsigamond Community College soccer field with food, music and activities.
• Hear speakers including Sean D. Osborne of NAACP, Mystic Valley Area Branch, who helped the Buzz with this feature, speak at the Juneteenth celebration at Old Sturbridge Village. Admission will be free to all; Pre-registration is recommended.
• If you're up for a trip to Providence, The Link Up PVD is hosting a party called A Juneteenth Function on Friday, June 21. They aim to celebrate Black music with a soundtrack that spans Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Afrobeats, Amapiano and more. Early attendance encouraged with food and drink specials available from 9pm—10pm. Tickets start at $10-15.
• Various city halls will hold a Juneteenth flag raising.

How do you observe Juneteenth? What resources would help your neighbors and their children and grandchildren learn more about our country's most recent national holiday? Share your stories with us by emailing hello@burlington.buzz, and your story could be added to this feature!

What are you celebrating or observing? Let us know at hello@burlington.buzz, and your story could be featured in Community Celebrations.