By: Lei Anna Craig

June 19th, 1865, is one of the days we should never forget in American history. This day marks the end of the pain and suffering done to African Americans with slavery coming to its rightful end and finally setting people free.

This was first made possible in 1890 when Texas declared this date a state holiday because they wanted it to become a day of remembrance, as we acknowledge the torturous events that the people went through and rejoice in the better days that are to come. Since then, many states have followed suit, but it wasn’t until 150 years after Texas made it a state holiday that it became a federal holiday in 2021.

Today, we use Juneteenth as a day to not only celebrate history but also shed light and acknowledge all the milestones we as a culture have accomplished and how far we have come. This is the perfect time to expose yourself to new things and people around you, support black businesses, and bask in beautiful food and culture.

Rightfully so, Buffalo makes this holiday a very large event and has a lot of fun and educational events to get involved in. So, here are some ways that you can celebrate the holiday this year!

Annual 49th Juneteenth Festival 

Every year, Buffalo holds an extravagant festival to remember Juneteenth and what it represents. This year, it will be held in Martin Luther King Park on both June 15th and June 16th. Enjoying the festival means you will have the chance to participate in many festivities including the renowned Juneteenth parade, food, culture, and community. This is such a large event and is a great chance to connect with different groups of people and learn something new.

History Events 

Sankofa Days held on June 8-14th are perfect opportunities to learn more about African American history and culture as there are a lot of engaging events to help get a better understanding through a combination of workshops, cultural art demonstrations and more. June 21st is the Maafa Memorial where we will show our gratitude for our ancestors and those who unfortunately lost their lives during their hardships.

Support Black Businesses 

This is a great opportunity to support a lot of upcoming and well-known black businesses. There will be some as vendors at the festivals, and many others around the city that are waiting to be discovered. Try to make it your mission to visit at least one in June.

And this is just the start! There are so many ways to celebrate and learn more about this powerful and informative holiday, and we hope that you can take the time out to learn and celebrate this year. For more information on the annual Juneteenth festival and workshops, you may visit the Buffalo Juneteenth website at the following address: BuffaloJuneteenth.com.