Juneteenth 2025
Happy Juneteenth!
Annually, we commemorate this pivotal moment in American history – when in 1865, in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation – the last enslaved African Americans received news of their freedom.
Juneteenth is a day of profound significance–a day of reflection on the resilience and strength of Black Americans, and a day to celebrate the promise of a more just society. We encourage you to deepen your understanding and engage with the educational resources below that illuminate this vital chapter in our shared history.
"More Than a Brook: Brooklyn Abolitionist Heritage Walk”
This three-part audio experience was commissioned by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and created by the Black Gotham Experience, which highlights Brooklyn's incredibly rich abolitionist history and its connection to the Underground Railroad. This self-guided audio tour focuses on designated historic sites in neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fort Greene.
Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories
Explore the invaluable Library of Congress collection of audio recordings from 1932 to 1975, featuring interviews and firsthand accounts of enslavement and freedom. The collection also highlights efforts made by fieldworkers, including Zora Neale Hurston, who aimed to gather stories and music from African Americans, with 24 songs and song fragments ultimately preserved.
Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn
This Brooklyn Public Library/Center for Brooklyn History exhibition explores how the institution of slavery shaped the borough, utilizing a compelling combination of artwork and historical records. It challenges visitors to reckon with this foundational history and celebrates the dedication of contemporary Black genealogy researchers who are honoring ancestors.
Visit our communications archive to read last year’s Juneteenth message and engage with more resources