UA Little Rock started celebrating Juneteenth in 2022 and we are happy to continue the tradition this year!
Juneteenth is a celebration of African American freedom and achievement, encouraging continuous self-development, self-reflection, and respect for all cultures. Across the United States, Juneteenth events highlight African American freedom and education, often featuring picnics, family gatherings, and inspiring guest speakers.
Known as the “19th of June,” Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It marks June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest, the last major stronghold of slavery following the Civil War. This momentous event occurred more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, former slaves celebrated joyously, establishing America’s second Independence Day and the oldest African-American holiday observance.
In 2005, the Arkansas Senate established the third Saturday in June as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” a memorial day to be commemorated by the issuance of a proclamation by the governor. The Senate bill declared Juneteenth Independence Day as a day to commemorate the end of 200 years of slavery in the United States, promoting racial reconciliation and healing from the legacy of slavery. In 2021, Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday.
Juneteenth is more than just a historical milestone; it is a day that signifies hope, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward equity and equality. We should use Juneteenth as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for freedom and the enduring importance of justice and human rights. Celebrating Juneteenth is an opportunity to recognize the impact of African American history on our nation’s story. Most importantly, it allows us to reflect on our commitment to creating a more inclusive campus culture.
We invite you to celebrate Juneteenth today by attending our lunch, keynote address, or both. Additionally, don’t miss our “What Juneteenth Means to Me” video below. Let’s come together to honor this significant day and embrace the spirit of freedom and unity.
We look forward to seeing you there!
UA Little Rock Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration 2024
Uploaded by UALR on 2024-06-19.
This Year’s Committee
A special thank you to members of the UA Little Rock Juneteenth Committee for their work in planning this event:
Alicia Dorn
Jennifer Hune
Kristi Smith
Christine Jones
Hyginus Ukadike
Kara Brown
Geoffrey Nash
Kris McAbee
Michael Moore
Angela Parker
Klansee Tozer
Learn More About Juneteenth
“Act 2010 of 2005.” Arkansas State Legislature. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2005/R/Acts/Act2101.pdf (accessed November 11, 2021).
Gay, Kathlyn. African-American Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations. Detroit: Omnigraphics, Inc., 2006.
Jones, Kelly Houston. “Arkansas’s History of Celebrating Emancipation.” Arkansas Times, July 7, 2021. https://arktimes.com/news/history-news/2021/07/07/arkansass-history-of-celebrating-emancipation (accessed November 11, 2021).
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. https://www.arkansasheritage.com/mosaic-templars-cultural-center/mtcc-home (accessed November 11, 2021).
Musa, Aziza. “State Celebrates Juneteenth with Weekend of Festivities.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 17, 2011, p. 14
More about Juneteenth
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. It became the 12th legal federal holiday. – National Museum of African American History