Greenwich To Host 3rd Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony

GREENWICH, CT — The Town of Greenwich has announced that it will host its third annual Juneteenth celebration and flag-raising ceremony on June 19, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Hall.

Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

During the ceremony, local leaders and community members will offer brief reflections on the history and significance of the holiday. The event seeks to bring the town together in unity and remembrance, while encouraging continued progress toward equity and justice.

Former President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021

"By making Juneteenth a federal holiday, all Americans can feel the power of this day and learn from our history – and celebrate progress and grapple with the distance we’ve come (and) the distance we have to travel," Biden said during a signing ceremony at the White House in 2021.

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By making Juneteenth a federal holiday, all Americans can feel the power of this day and learn from our history – and celebrate progress and grapple with the distance we’ve come (and) the distance we have to travel,” Biden said. "We can’t rest until the promise of equality is fulfilled for every one of us in every corner of this nation. That to me is the meaning of Juneteenth."

This public event is free and open to all. All Greenwich residents are encouraged to attend and stand in solidarity on this day of freedom and reflection.

The Greenwich Historical Society will also mark Juneteenth with a community celebration on June 21, offering food, music, activities, and educational programming.

The second annual Juneteenth Celebration Festival will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the Historical Society’s Cos Cob campus at 47 Strickland Road. Admission is free and open to all, with pre-registration encouraged. In case of rain, the event will be held on June 22.