Juneteenth 2024: Home Plate

On June 19, 1865, Union troops in Galveston, Texas, announced the end of the Civil War and informed the enslaved people there of their freedom. This long-overdue message had been delayed by Texas enslavers who ignored the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Since then, this momentous day has been commemorated as Juneteenth, marking liberation and a new beginning for those enslaved in Texas.

Signed into law as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021, today, Juneteenth serves as a holiday to reflect on our nation’s history and commemorate emancipation. It is also a time to celebrate the impact of Black culture on American society at large. One significant way this influence is seen is through food with Southern food traditions, born from African American innovation, becoming central to American cuisine.

This year’s Juneteenth event celebrates Black culinary history and America’s pastime, baseball. Through on-campus events, cooking demonstrations, museum theater, and exhibitions, including More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron and Barbecue Nation, we highlight Juneteenth’s legacy and underscore the joyous union of family, food, and community.

Bring your water bottles, blankets, lawn chairs, and anything else your family needs to be comfortable on the lawn as you join us to celebrate Juneteenth.