Juneteenth is the annual commemoration of the date – June 19th, 1865 – when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned that they were free. This was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, and two months after the Confederacy surrendered in Virginia, ending the conflict of the Civil War. Since then, Juneteenth has been commemorated in communities across America. This holiday gets its name from combining “June” and “19th.”

Rewarding, fun and educational Juneteenth Celebrations have begun in R&DE and across the university. These are important unifying events, especially in the context of R&DE’s ongoing work on diversity, equity, and inclusion. When we celebrate the diverse cultures and ethnicities represented in R&DE, it gives us an opportunity to learn about each other, and to show that we value our rich and varied tapestry.