Commemorating When Word of Emancipation Finally Reached the Last Enslaved Americans

Nearly two-and-a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, federal troops reached the remaining enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 to inform them that they were finally free. Regarded as the oldest African American holiday and now an official federal holiday, Juneteenth (a portmanteau of "June Nineteenth") honors the end to slavery in the United States.

OIE recognizes the significance of this day for the Black community at Duke. As we celebrate, we also acknowledge that we still have much work to do and we will take Juneteenth as an opportunity to reflect and advocate for social justice and equity. We hope you will do the same.

OIE is here to help with education and support for the Duke University and Duke Health community to advance Duke's shared values of respect, trust, inclusion, discovery, and excellence. Contact OIE by submitting an Educational Request, calling 919-684-8222, emailing oie-help@duke.edu, or by Reporting an Incident.

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Content posted on homepage on June 19, 2022