Join us for a day of celebration, education, and community at the Boston Juneteenth Freedom Fest! This free public event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates African American culture and contributions.

The City of Boston is proud to partner with Embrace: The Embrace Ideas Festival, a yearly celebration grounded in arts, ideas, culture, and public scholarship, leading up to the Juneteenth holiday. This multi-day gathering brings together local, state, and national leaders to amplify anti-racism and envision a transformed Boston by 2030.

The Embrace Ideas Festival features keynotes, panels, and live music, shining a light on interrupting zero-sum game thinking regarding racial justice and realizing a democracy worthy of us all. The annual Fest is intentionally wrapped around Juneteenth, an essential holiday we uplift for those who have long celebrated it and invite those who may not have had the opportunity yet to join us in building a new national "monument" together.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared the end of the Civil War, freeing all enslaved persons. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been official for over two years, slavery persisted in areas beyond Union control. The Union's takeover of Texas effectively liberated the remaining slaves in the state, ending this specific form of slavery in America.

We look forward to coming together as a community for this momentous occasion and honoring this significant day in our history. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth and envisioning a more just and equitable future for all.

The City of Boston is proud to partner with Embrace: The Embrace Ideas Festival, a yearly celebration grounded in arts, ideas, culture, and public scholarship, leading up to the Juneteenth holiday. This multi-day gathering brings together local, state, and national leaders to amplify anti-racism and envision a transformed Boston by 2030.

The Embrace Ideas Festival features keynotes, panels, and live music, shining a light on interrupting zero-sum game thinking regarding racial justice and realizing a democracy worthy of us all. Our annual Fest is intentionally wrapped around Juneteenth, an essential holiday we uplift for those who have long celebrated it and invite those who may not have had the opportunity yet to join us in building a new national "monument" together.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared the end of the Civil War, freeing all enslaved persons. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been official for over two years, slavery persisted in areas beyond Union control. The Union's takeover of Texas effectively liberated the remaining slaves in the state, ending this specific form of slavery in America.

We look forward to coming together as a community for this momentous occasion and honoring this significant day in our history. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth and envisioning a more just and equitable future for all.

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