June 19, 2021
Juneteenth is the day in 1865 that General Gordon Granger sailed ships into Galveston, Texas to force their compliance with the Emancipation proclamation. Despite being signed more than 2 years prior, Texas continued to practice slavery until Juneteenth. As newly freed slaves left Texas and migrated across the country, celebrations of Juneteenth followed. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of African American freedom, education, and achievement. It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Today, the AIA joins in observance of Juneteenth. We encourage others to join us as we celebrate the lives and freedom of enslaved people in the United States and acknowledge the work that is still to be done to end systemic racism. The study of archaeology has often been through a Eurocentric point of view. The AIA is committed to encouraging more diverse viewpoints and practices and reiterates it commitment to our Statement on Archaeology and Social Justice.
To learn more about Juneteenth, visit https://juneteenth.com/.
