Juneteenth

President Biden signed a law Thursday making June 19 a federal holiday. Juneteenth, as the day is known, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the Harvey B. Gantt Center to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday. Some parents said they want their children to know more about a celebration of freedom that was little known in their childhood.

Opal Lee, the activist known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, worked hard to see it become a federal holiday. NPR's Michel Martin reflects on why it's a holiday for all Americans.

A group of mostly older Charlotteans are finding a new rhythm — one powered by African drums and other percussion instruments. The seniors are gearing up for two performances, one on Saturday as part of the Juneteenth Festival and another later this month in the city’s Corridors of Opportunity.

Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the formal abolition of slavery for the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. Many events are happening this week and next week to mark the holiday. Here are some that are happening locally.

Large crowds turned out for Juneteenth celebrations around Charlotte in recognition of the June 19th holiday, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. We asked attendees what the holiday means to them.

Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth for decades, but up until three years ago, there was no festival or public celebration in Charlotte's historically-Black West End — until a local nonprofit stepped in.

Artifacts that tell the trials and tribulations of the Black experience throughout American history are on display Thursday in Charlotte, ahead of the Juneteenth holiday. The Homage Exhibit imparts an emotional and personal understanding of U.S. history. It’s owned by a Charlotte couple who began collecting 20 years ago.

A list of Charlotte events for Juneteenth 2023 holiday celebrations.

People gathered in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood this weekend to celebrate Juneteenth, the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, found out they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation.

From a botched Juneteenth event to a nationwide debate over our real history, our country continues to argue about how much race matters. WFAE’s Tommy Tomlinson, in his On My Mind commentary, says it starts with a willingness to learn.

Charlotte-area organizations, businesses and universities responded quickly on Friday to the declaration of Juneteenth as a new federal national holiday on June 19.