Juneteenth Declaration 2026

Juneteenth June 19, 2026 Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is named after the events that took place on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, when Union soldiers arrived with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free. News of the end of slavery did not reach frontier areas of the U.S. for more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, and months after the end of the Civil War. Even after word had spread, some slave masters chose to withhold this information from enslaved people through one more harvest season. June 19th commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the U.S. For more than 160 years, Juneteenth has celebrated the substantial contributions of African Americans and the unity and mutuality of American liberty realized, which makes Juneteenth a celebration of freedom and justice for all Americans, not only those who were enslaved and their descendants. The faith and strength of character demonstrated by former enslaved African Americans remains an example for all people, regardless of background, religion, or race. President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021, making June 19 a federal holiday. In 2021, the City of Boulder hosted its first Juneteenth flag raising ceremony, which has since become an annual event. In 2022, the City of Boulder joined the federal and state government in officially recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday. We, the City Council of the City of Boulder, Colorado declare June 19, 2026, as

Juneteenth And recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth. We encourage community members to observe Juneteenth by attending local and regional Juneteenth events hosted across Boulder County. The history and plight of African Americans and all that was endured during chattel slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights Movement is an example of pure resilience. As a governmental body, we oppose and reject any form of oppression and pledge to support our community members and local entities in solidarity working to achieve equality and protect human rights.

_____________________________ Aaron Brockett, Mayor