June 19 marks a pivotal event in our country’s history. While the Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, many enslaved Africans lived in states where slavery continued or where they did not know that they were free. On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger informed more than 250,000 slaves in Texas that they were legally freed. The now annual celebration of Juneteenth began a year later on June 19, 1866.
Also known as “Freedom Day,” “Emancipation Day” or “Jubilee,” Juneteenth is one of our country’s oldest celebrations of the abolition of slavery, but not every American is familiar with the observance. Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021. This year Juneteenth will be observed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
In honor of Juneteenth, UC San Diego’s Black Staff Association (BSA) will host the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Tuesday, June 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Price Center Ballroom East. This year’s theme “A Gospel Journey to Freedom” focuses on education, signature dishes, and the historical relevance of gospel music. The program will celebrate the vibrancy and creativity of Black culture and express appreciation for the Black Excellence exemplified across the university. Complimentary food will be provided to the first 200 UC San Diego employees who reserve their ticket online. Register here for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Black Excellence Awards.
We encourage the UC San Diego community to take the opportunity to learn more about Juneteenth and explore the history and meaning of this annual event. To learn more about Juneteenth, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture website.
In recognition of this annual event, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved for employees to attend the event. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.
By honoring Juneteenth, we acknowledge the importance of historical events and recognize that more work remains to dismantle anti-Black racism. Equity, diversity and inclusion remains a priority for UC San Diego, and we are committed to finding impactful solutions that unite us all.
We wish you all a meaningful Juneteenth observance.
