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Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrating freedom, community, education & achievement.

William & Mary is joining communities around the country to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the United States. The observance of June 19, 1865, as the African-American Emancipation Day — also called Freedom Day — has spread across the United States and beyond. In 2020, it became an official Virginia state holiday and in 2021, a federal holiday. While Juneteenth celebrates freedom, it also highlights community, education and achievement in the African-American community.

William & Mary's will host its next Juneteenth celebration on June 18, 2024. 

2024 ProgramHistory of JuneteenthResources

Juneteenth at W&M

Associate Professor of History Adrienne Petty talks about the history and meaning behind celebrating Juneteenth. William & Mary partnered with the York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP and the City of Williamsburg to host the area’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2021.