Juneteenth may be the newest federal holiday, but its roots stretch deep into American history, marking a moment of delayed freedom that still resonates today.
Celebrated every June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had legally ended slavery. Union troops had just arrived to enforce the law, and with that announcement, freedom became real for more than 250,000 people still held in bondage in Texas.
Since then, Juneteenth has grown into a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and culture. But while it’s often associated with Texas, the story—and the spirit—of Juneteenth runs right through Ohio.
Freedom Deferred
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states. But without the presence of Union troops to enforce it, the proclamation had limited reach. Texas, remote and largely untouched by major battles, became a final stronghold of slavery.
It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops, that the last enslaved people were formally freed. That day, called Juneteenth, became a turning point. First celebrated by newly freed communities in Texas, the tradition eventually spread across the country.
Ohio’s Role in the Journey to Freedom
While Juneteenth happened hundreds of miles away, Ohio has long played a pivotal role in the fight for freedom.
Ohio was a major stop along the Underground Railroad, the secret network of routes and safe houses used to help enslaved people escape north. Central Ohio’s free Black communities, including in Franklinton and on the near east side, were essential to that movement.
The Kelton House Museum & Garden, now nestled in downtown Columbus, was once home to fervent abolitionists. The Kelton family sheltered fugitive slaves, and their story is preserved today as part of the region’s history of resistance.
The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1835 and made its headquarters in the state, with activists and formerly enslaved people leading the charge for emancipation long before it became law.
And in more recent decades, Columbus has become home to powerful Juneteenth celebrations—such as the long-running events hosted by the King Arts Complex, JuneteenthOhio Festival, and newer neighborhood celebrations that highlight local Black businesses, performers, and voices.
Why It Matters
Juneteenth isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder that freedom has always required a fight.
The holiday carries the weight of both joy and injustice: the joy of a long-awaited liberation, and the reality that freedom was cruelly delayed. It’s a time to honor ancestors who never stopped resisting, and to reflect on how the legacies of slavery still echo today.
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday, and the Columbus City Council voted unanimously to observe it as a paid city holiday that same year. For many in Columbus, it’s now both a celebration and a moment of reflection—a chance to gather, learn, and recommit to equity.
🎉 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in Columbus
- Jubilee Day Festival at the Ohio History Center (June 19, noon–4 p.m.): A family-friendly celebration of emancipation and Black heritage.
- Juneteenth Commemoration at the King Arts Complex (June 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.): Yard sales, live music, poetry slams and local vendors celebrate culture and history.
- New Albany Juneteenth Celebration (June 19, 6–9 p.m.): Showcases local artists, vendors, and performers in a vibrant suburban celebration.
- Line Dance & Shop at Clintonville Books (June 19, 6:30–9 p.m.): Dance, shop indie books, and support local authors in a festive evening.
- 28th Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival in Genoa Park (June 21–22, all day): Free live music, food, vendors, and a career fair downtown.
- WeRISE Juneteenth Celebration at Otterbein University (June 21, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Westerville): Family-friendly event with food, DJ, and kids’ activities.
- Drumming & Poetry at Kelton House (June 22, 2–5 p.m.): Music, storytelling, and arts in the historic abolitionist home.
From Galveston to Columbus, Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn’t just declared—it has to be demanded. And when it finally arrives, it’s something worth celebrating.
