Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it wasn't until June 19, 1865, that the final enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, received news of their freedom.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, but has been celebrated as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day since June 19, 1866. 

On June 14, 2022, the New Brighton City Council voted to declare June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Day in the City of New Brighton. The proclamation (PDF) encourages residents to reflect, learn, understand, participate, and celebrate in community-based events to celebrate Juneteenth and its meaning in our region.

Minnesota established Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2023. 

Flag with curved horizon to separate top red half from bottom blue half. bursting star in middle

In 1997, the Juneteenth flag was created to represent the slogan of the celebration, "the star of Texas bursting with new freedom through the land, over a new horizon." 

  1. JUneteenth Celebration

2023 Juneteenth Celebration

We are celebrating Juneteenth through our Summer Concert Series. We invite residents to join us on June 8th from 6-8PM at Veteran's Park to enjoy our talented performers, eat from a Black-owned food truck, and learn more about Juneteenth from community members tabling at the event. 

lists details of the event and a picture of the performers