ST PAUL, Minnesota — On Wednesday, June 19, communities nationwide will celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas were finally notified that the Civil War was over and they were free – two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2021, Congress passed legislation declaring June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Check out the list below to see how you can celebrate Juneteenth this year.
Minneapolis
Soul of the Southside Festival is set to occur from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday in the Longfellow neighborhood in south Minneapolis.
St. Paul
The 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place at the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Edina
Wednesday's celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be at the Maetzold Amphitheater with book giveaways, musical performances, a special speaker and food vendors.
Woodbury
Woodbury for Justice and Equality is hosting its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Ojibway Park in Woodbury.
Maple Grove
Maple Grove Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual Juneteenth Celebration at Town Green on Wednesday. There will be a Black-owned vendor fair, food trucks, kids' activities, and live music.
Eagan
Join the Juneteenth Community Committee at Viking Lakes for Eagan's Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday. It goes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with live music, food trucks and games.
Please note: This list does not include every Juneteenth celebration in and around the Twin Cities.
Show us how you're celebrating Juneteenth on our new Map of 10,000 Stories.
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