Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

Juneteenth On the Ave.

The near east side of Columbus is home to Black historical significance of Black cultural expression and production. The buildings tell stories of the people, culture, art, struggle, economics, and more. Juneteenth offers US an opportunity to celebrate this rich history and tell new stories of freedom, liberation and inspiration. Our mission for Juneteenth On the Ave. is to use the now nationally recognized holiday as a platform to acknowledge our history, celebrate the end of chattel slavery and most importantly inspire continued action toward freedom through celebration, cultural expression, and education.

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