Celebrate Juneteenth with resources from the NC African American Heritage Commission
The NC African American Heritage Commission, a part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, has made a toolkit available to help local communities celebrate Juneteenth which takes place annually on June 19th.
From the toolkit:
The NC African American Heritage Commission (NC AAHC) works continuously to celebrate and share the art, history, and heritage of African Americans. It is our mission to preserve, protect, and promote North Carolina's African American history, arts, and culture for all people. This is a resource guide that will assist you in celebrating the Juneteenth holiday. Also known as "Freedom Day," Juneteenth is a uniquely American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement that slavery would be abolished in Texas. North Carolina joins in the celebration of this national holiday and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederacy.
The toolkit contains learning resources related to the history of Juneteenth, North Carolina liberation stories, quick facts, a community calendar and more. Access the resources below:
North Carolina's Liberation Story
Juneteenth is embraced and celebrated by all races and ethnicities in honor and commemoration of African American culture and achievements. Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1866.
North Carolina became the 26th state in 2007 to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth is about freedom, liberation, and celebration. It is a holiday for North Carolinians to come together to foster connections that will continue to empower and uplift the community.
About the commission
The North Carolina General Assembly created the African American Heritage Commission (AAHC) in 2008 to “assist the Secretary of Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African American history, arts, and culture.” The commission works across the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to achieve the mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting North Carolina’s African American history, art, and culture, for all people.