Juneteenth - Freedom Day

Three fist raised in triumph on a background of red, yellow and geen stripes.

Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates African American culture. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. 

Juneteenth traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing of traditional songs, and reading the works of noted African American authors. In many areas, Juneteenth has become a multicultural holiday.  

Communities celebrate Juneteenth with events ranging from cookouts to festivals to historical reenactments. Such celebrations also often include lectures and exhibits that highlight African American culture. 

Here are some scheduled local-area Juneteenth events: 

  • 2024 Juneteenth Celebration Festival: 1 to 5 p.m., June 22, Rebecca Howard Park, 911 Adams St SE, Olympia. More details here. 
  • 43rd Juneteenth Celebration: 11:30 to 4 p.m., June 15, Regional Athletic Complex, 8345 Steilacoom Road SE, Olympia. More details here. 
  • Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom WA State: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 19, Stewart Heights Park (5715 Reginald Gutierrez Lane, Tacoma, Wash.) More details here. 
  • Shoreline Juneteenth Celebration: 4 to 8 p.m., June 19, Shoreline City Hall (17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline. More details here.   

To find Juneteenth events that are more local to your area, try using a Google search.  

A Brief History of Juneteenth 

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1963, but Juneteenth wouldn’t be celebrated until two years later — after enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were freed — on June 19, 1865. 

The first official Juneteenth celebration was held the following year. Early Juneteenth events focused on voting rights for freed African Americans. 

During the early 20th century, there was a decline in Juneteenth celebrations due to states passing constitutions and amendments that disenfranchised Black Americans. Jim Crow laws further reduced their rights. However, by the 1960s, Juneteenth experienced a revival as Black Americans began tying their struggle for civil rights to that of ending slavery.  

Juneteenth was first recognized as a state holiday by Texas in 1980 and is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared one in 1986. 

With that in mind, we want to remind you that TwinStar will close all its branches and the contact center on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. 

How You Can Observe and Celebrate Juneteenth 

As Juneteenth approaches, we encourage you to learn more about African American history and support local Black-owned businesses. These are just a few steps that all of us can take to help create a more diverse and welcoming culture for everyone.  

Join all of us at TwinStar in celebrating Juneteenth, while also recognizing that despite progress being made, there’s still work to be done. We must continue to champion civil rights and fight social injustice every day.