Almost 500 people gathered at the Oakland County Courthouse on June 14 for the first official Juneteenth celebration, including raising the Juneteenth flag above the courtyard, and witnessing the dedication of Elizabeth Denison Forth’s historical marker.
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Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, marks the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865 that proclaimed liberation for enslaved African Americans in Texas. They were the last group of people to be freed after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
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Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when news of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas – nearly two years after the proclamation had been issued. The holiday is a celebration of the freedom and liberation of the last of the enslaved people in the United States.
“We mark Juneteenth to celebrate the end of the dark chapter of slavery in our country. It is a day for us to reflect on our history and ensure that we understand the impacts of that history which are still with us today. We dedicate ourselves to freedom from discrimination, violence, and unequal justice.”
–Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter
Juneteenth represents resistance, resilience, and the joy that freedom brings. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter sat down with Oakland County Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Robin Carter-Cooper to talk about this important milestone in America’s history:
At its meeting on June 7, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to designate Juneteenth as a county holiday in 2022. The county will observe Monday, June 20 as the Juneteenth holiday, and all county offices will be closed.
“Juneteenth isn’t just Black history. Slavery ended on this day, which is a very important moment for the Black community, and I’m proud that the Board and county administration have taken action to acknowledge this.”
–Commissioner Angela Powell (D-Pontiac)
On June 1, 2022, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an order stating that June 19 become a recognized court holiday and ordered all courts in the State of Michigan be closed on Monday, June 20. President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 designating Juneteenth as a national holiday.
“Holidays have meaning and purpose. We encourage county employees and residents to observe Juneteenth to reflect on our history, and together commit to a better future for everyone by addressing racial injustice in America.”
–Board Chairman David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak)
In commemoration of the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, use our list of events in Oakland County below to find a celebration near you. Visit our Juneteenth Things to Do Page for even more activities throughout Metro Detroit.
June 3-30: Juneteenth Film Festival
June 17-19: Farmington Area Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Ferndale/Hazel Park Juneteenth Celebration
June 19: Juneteenth Date Night
June 18: Ferndale/Hazel Park Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Juneteenth Street Festival
June 19: Juneteenth Parade
June 3-30: Juneteenth Film Festival
June 15: Juneteenth Roundtable Discussion
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
June 15-22: Southfield Juneteenth Celebration
June 18: Juneteenth Family Reunion
June 19: My Black is Power Juneteenth Pop-up
June 18: Juneteenth In The WB
June 16: Preserving MI Harvest – Celebrating Juneteenth: African-American Cuisine
Do you know of any other Juneteenth events taking place in the Oakland County area? Let us know about them; contact us at socialmedia@oakgov.com.
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