Juneteenth was declared on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, by Gen. Gordon Granger of the U.S. Army. He proclaimed the end of bondage on that day. Many different stories have been told over the years but one of the stories is that a black former Union sol dier who brought word of freedom by mule to the trans-Mississippi South and announced the news in Oklahoma. News of emancipation came to the enslaved people of the Indian nations, in the territory that became Oklahoma. It was enforced through the Reconstruction Treaties of 1866. Another story described the federal government opening the Unassigned Lands of Indian Territory to new settlers in 1889, African Americans joined the migration to establish claims to land or to help develop towns, including some small All-Black communities in southern and central Oklahoma area. Many of the African Americans came from Texas and brought with them Juneteenth celebrations. Back then the celebrations would be a full day of activities including speeches about the importance of the event, followed by sports contests, picnics, and dances. Much like it is today.
In 1914, Ralph Ellison, the famous African American writer born in Oklahoma City, wrote a novel titled Juneteenth which was published in 1999 after his death. The novel's fictional characters recall a Juneteenth celebration that also emphasized preaching by several ministers. During the depression of the 1930s the celebration declined as some African Americans migrated westward to California. In spite of the depression they still celebrated Juneteenth. In one Los Angeles neighborhood it survived as the "Oklahoma Picnic" on June 19.
During the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Juneteenth attracted less attention. But by the 1980s Juneteenth had revived with traditional observances joined by parades, jazz festivals, and arts and crafts exhibits in the towns and cities of Oklahoma. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independ ence Day Act into law.
This year in Tulsa and in Oklahoma City, there will be many things to do to celebrate Juneteenth. Here are a few Juneteenth events happening in OKC and Tulsa
June 16 FREE - Juneteenth Celebration - 6-8 p.m.-Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr in Oklahoma City) features a “Music Through the Ages” themed celebration with educational presentations and musical performances representing Oklahoma’s unique African American roots.
June 16-18 FREE - Tulsa Juneteenth Festival - Historic Greenwood District (Greenwood Ave, Tulsa) features a festival that commemorates African American freedom, emphasizes education, celebrates the rich heritage of Greenwood, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, and advocates community impact. See website for schedule of events.
June 18 FREE - Juneteenth on the East - 3-9 p.m. - Oklahoma City (N 23rd St Between N Kelham & N Hood) features live music, interactive murals, dance performances, spoken word, food trucks, vendors, a car show and a 5K run..
FREE - Norman Juneteenth Festival-5:30-10 p.m. - at Reaves Park (2501 Jenkins Ave, Norman) features a live DJ, music, guest speakers, food trucks, performances, poetry, fireworks and more.
FREE - Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival - 6:30 p.m. - at Washington Park (NE 4th St, Oklahoma City ) features performances by Vokal Gold, B Les, Jon B, DJ Quik and more.