Students, faculty, and staff gathered in Hawk Lounge at GSU last week to commemorate Juneteenth.
Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth marks the date in 1865—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation—when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, received the news that they were finally free.
Now a federally recognized holiday, Juneteenth is commemorated as a celebration of African American culture. UHart's celebration—which included food, games, and music—encouraged members of our campus community to reflect on the importance of the day, to honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom, and to think about what we can do to ensure a just world for all.
The University will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the holiday.