Juneteeth marks the day, June 19, 1865, when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. Though Lincoln had signed the proclamation on January 1, 1863, it was not until the westernmost Confederate state, Texas, was under the control of the Union that the 250,000 enslaved people of that state were set free.
Events across the region mark this historic day:
Discovering Amistad and Mystic Seaport Museum to Co-Host a Celebration of Juneteenth, June 19, 3 pm.
Norwich Arts Center: Blooming Into Greatness Presents Juneteenth Freedom Day, June 19, 5:30 pm.
NAACP Norwich Branch with City of Norwich and Global City: 32nd Juneteenth Day Ceremony, June 18, 9:30 a.m. David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard, 100 Broadway.
Thames River Heritage Park and Hempstead Houses – CT Landmarks: Boat Tour: White Sails, Black Hands. The African American Experience on CT Waters, June 19, 2:30-3:45 pm.
New London Community Dream Market Juneteenth Jubilation, June 19, 4-7pm, Mercer St, New London.
Read more about regional Juneteenth events in The Day.
Photo: In June 2012, the “Norwich Freedom Bell” was forged in the City of Norwich as part of the NAACP Norwich Branch Juneteenth Celebration.
Share your Juneteenth event with us at communications@chamberect.com and we will add it to the blog.