Juneteenth to be celebrated

On June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth.  Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and Black Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation came 2½ years earlier, on January 1, 1863, many slave owners continued to hold their enslaved people captive after the announcement. Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom.

We continue to recognize and celebrate because the work is not done.  Ending slavery was just the first step in building a more equitable society for all people.  The battle for racial equality still rages on. However, Juneteenth is a time to celebrate those enslaved people who persevered despite overwhelming odds.  It is a time to celebrate Black life and contribution to the United States.

Juneteenth is a time to remember where we have come from, celebrate the progress that has been made, and acknowledge we still have far to go.  We must continuously aim toward achieving equality and equity for everyone.

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is uncompromising in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  We invite our OSU CVM community to celebrate Juneteenth with the Wexner Medical Center on Thursday, June 17, 2020 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/about-us/diversity/diversity-council-events/juneteenth

For additional opportunities to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth:

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/_QUh41SUsLCX6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQOnoXIoRY

Juneteenth Jubilee

Saturday, June 19th, 1:00-6:00 p.m., Goodale Park (Columbus, Ohio)